The flags that fly at half-staff at the New York state Capitol when a police officer is killed will now be given to the officer's next of kin.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the provision into law on Monday.
Families of fallen service members already receive the flags that flew at half-staff at the Albany Capitol in honor of their loved one. But until the change the flags lowered whenever a police officer was killed were simply retired.
Cuomo, a Democrat, says the decision to give the flags to the families of slain police officers as well is "one more way to honor" their service and sacrifice.
Four NYPD officers have been killed while on duty in the last 11 months. Five-year veteran Randolph Holder, 30, was killed last week in East Harlem. His funeral is set for Wednesday.
