Statement Condemning Millbury Post Office’s Failure to Honor Half-Staff Order
Jan 15, 2026
UPDATE: The American flag at the Millbury Post Office is now flying at half-staff in accordance with Governor Healey’s directive honoring fallen Uxbridge Police Officer Stephen LaPorta.
We appreciate that this has been corrected. This moment is about respect, for Officer LaPorta’s sacrifice, for his family, and for the Uxbridge Police Department.
NEPBA will always stand firm in ensuring our fallen heroes receive the honor they deserve.
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The New England Police Benevolent Association (NEPBA) is disgusted and deeply disappointed by the Millbury Post Office’s refusal to honor Governor Maura Healey’s request to lower flags to half-staff in remembrance of Uxbridge Police Officer Stephen LaPorta, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Half-staff orders are not political. They are not optional. They are a basic act of respect, an unmistakable symbol that a grateful Commonwealth recognizes a fallen hero and stands with a grieving family, department, and community.
Officer LaPorta died serving others. Governor Healey’s directive was clear: flags were to be lowered across Massachusetts in honor of his bravery and sacrifice. Numerous communities and public institutions followed that request immediately and without question. Yet, the Millbury Post Office chose to do the opposite, and in doing so, sent a shameful message that honor and decency are negotiable.
Let us be clear: when a police officer is killed in the line of duty, the public should not have to wonder whether a government facility will show basic respect. This should have been automatic. This should have been non-negotiable. This should have been done without hesitation.
NEPBA calls on USPS leadership to immediately address this failure, correct it, and ensure it never happens again, anywhere. At a minimum, the Millbury Post Office owes the LaPorta family, the Uxbridge Police Department, and the entire law enforcement community a public explanation and apology.
Officer Stephen LaPorta’s sacrifice deserves more than words. It deserves action, honor, and visible respect, especially from institutions that represent public service.
NEPBA stands with the LaPorta family and the entire Uxbridge Police Department. We will never allow the memory of our fallen to be dismissed, ignored, or disrespected.
