Pierce County Executive John W. Ladenburg has directed that all flags in Pierce County be lowered to half-staff Weds., July 30 through Thurs., Aug. 7 in memory of East Pierce Fire and Rescue Chief Dan Packer, who was killed firefighting in Northern California July 26. Dan was serving as a division chief for a National Type 1 Incident Management Team that had been activated on July 25. Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset Thursday or first thing Friday morning, Aug 8. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.