All Star Flags August 3, 2011 | All Star Flags

American Flags and South Carolina Flags to fly at half-staff Thursday, August 4th in Charleston, SC in honor of Judge Matthew Perry.

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley released the following statement:

“Matthew Perry was a man of historic proportions in the history of South Carolina and our country. He was a gentle man, soft spoken, kind and caring, gracious, polite, with an easy smile readily available, a warm heart and an extended hand in friendship.”

“He was also a towering force for civil rights, racial justice and human progress. His gentle nature belied a will of steel.  His mind was razor sharp; his creative capacity was enormous, which enabled him to successfully defend hundreds of people unfairly charged with civil rights violations and gain admission into Clemson for another one of our country’s great leaders, Harvey Gantt.”

“I was proud to call Judge Perry a friend.  In honor of and in respect for Judge Perry, flags on City of Charleston owned buildings and properties will be flown at half-mast on Thursday, the day of his funeral.”

North Carolina Flags in Forsyth and Greene Counties are to fly at half-staff Thursday, August 4th in honor of Winston-Salem Police Officer Russell M. Willingham Jr. and Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy David Jennings Dawson III.

Officer Willingham Jr., 28, was killed on Saturday in a single-vehicle crash while responding to assist another officer. He had served two years with the Winston-Salem Police Department and previously with the Greensboro Police Department.

Deputy Dawson, 21, had served with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office just two months before he was killed on Monday in a single-vehicle crash while responding to assist another officer.