Flags to be at half staff in honor of NBV firefighter

By Mon Valley Independent

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

Gov. Tom Wolf ordered that the Pennsylvania flag on all state facilities, public buildings and grounds in Westmoreland County will fly at half-staff today to honor North Belle Vernon firefighter Neil B. Cope.

The 46-year-old first lieutenant passed away unexpectedly Tuesday at his home.

“The commonwealth flag shall be lowered in Westmoreland County to half-staff until sunset on Friday, July 19, 2019,” Wolf said. “The United States flag is to remain at full-staff through this tribute. All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate in this tribute.”

Cope responded to a mutual aid fire call in Rostraver Township just hours before he passed away. Fire Chief Kurt Parshall said it appears that Cope died of natural causes, but an autopsy is being conducted.

To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Friday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.

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