Firefighters from Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company and Newtown Hook & Ladder Company met at the Main Street flagpole at 8 am this morning, when they lowered the flag on the town’s historic landmark to honor a local legend.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Chief Bill Halstead died Friday night. The longtime chief and resident had responded to a call earlier in the evening. He reportedly felt ill after the call, and local first responders were dispatched to his home later. Despite the efforts of multiple agencies, Halstead — who had been chief of the fire company for 44 years — did not survive.

(Read his full obituary here.)

Hook & Ladder has traditionally carries the honor of lowering, raising, and even changing the flags on the Main Street flagpole. On Monday morning, however, Hook & Ladder assisted while Sandy Hook firefighters arrived with their ladder truck to cover the solemn duty to honor their late chief.

Sandy Hook VFR Firefighter and Vice President Archie Paloian and Hook & Ladder Assistant Chief David White went up the ladder once it was raised on the back of Sandy Hook’s truck. The two men then lowered the 20- by 30-foot summer flag to half-staff.

Among those also joining the brief event were Karin Halstead, one of Chief Halstead’s daughters and the EMS Captain of Sandy Hook VFR; her husband, John Jeltema, a Sandy Hook firefighter; SHVFR Deputy Chief Anthony Capozziello; and members of the fire company.

Members of local fire companies including Botsford and Hawleyville, and Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, were also present.

Governor Ned Lamont has formally ordered all flags in Connecticut to be lowered to honor Chief Halstead. On Monday morning, Lamont issued a proclamation directing US and state flags to be lowered immediately, and remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment.

Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the US flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, are also to be lowered during the same duration.

In a proclamation, Lamont said Halstead “provided decades of service to the community in which he grew up and the community he loved. His dedication is exemplary, and we are lucky to have leaders like him protecting the residents of Connecticut. His passing after responding to a call in the line of duty is heartbreaking, and I send my deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and fellow firefighters from the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company.”

Lt Governor Susan Bysiewicz said Chief Halstead “exemplified what it meant to be a true public servant, providing decades of selfless service to his beloved community. Our state’s firefighters are some of the most courageous citizens in Connecticut, and we will forever be indebted to their service. My most sincere condolences go out to Chief Halstead’s family, friends, colleagues, and the Sandy Hook community.”

Funeral details have yet to be announced.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.