WHEREAS, Officer Preslar was 36 years old, a loving and devoted husband, and father of two young daughters, and resided in Beachwood, New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, Officer Preslar fulfilled his lifelong dream to become a Lakewood police officer and graduated from the Ocean County Police Academy in May 2001; and

WHEREAS, beginning in 2001, Officer Preslar served the community in the Patrol Division of the Lakewood Police Department, and also served as a member of the Department's Special Response Team; and

WHEREAS, Officer Preslar quickly became known among his fellow officers for his warm and friendly personality and, through his loyalty, courage, and character, cultivated many close friendships among his colleagues, especially those on the Special Response Team; and

WHEREAS, on May 14, 2007, while Officer Preslar was on duty and responding to another police officer's call for assistance, he tragically lost his life in an automobile accident; and

WHEREAS, Officer Preslar's selfless devotion to public service and the protection of others makes him a hero and a true role model for all New Jerseyans and, therefore, it is appropriate and fitting for the State where he was raised and where he served so proudly as a police officer to recognize his true commitment to the welfare and safety of others, to mark his untimely passing, to remember his family as they mourn their tragic loss, and to honor his memory;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JON S. CORZINE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during the appropriate hours on Friday, May 18, 2007, in recognition of the life and in mourning of the passing of Police Officer William Preslar.
   
   
2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 17th day
of May, Two Thousand and Seven, and of
the Independence of the United States, the
Two Hundred and Thirty-First.

/s/ Jon S. Corzine

Governor

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ Kenneth H. Zimmerman