WHEREAS, James Michael Ratcliffe joined the Metuchen Fire Department in 1965; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Ratcliffe served the Fire Department and the People of Metuchen with exceptional courage, dedication and professionalism, genuine courtesy and abiding commitment to the finest humanitarian traditions; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Ratcliffe proudly served in the Fire Department for forty years, in various capacities as a Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, Department Chief and most recently Department Safety Officer; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Ratcliffe has made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life in the line of duty to help New Jersey's citizens and, therefore, it is appropriate and fitting for the State of New Jersey to mark his passing and to honor his memory.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD J. CODEY, Acting 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 the State of New Jersey shall be flown at half staff at all State departments, offices, agencies and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Tuesday, May 10, 2005, in recognition and mourning of James Michael Ratcliffe, the former Chief and current Safety Officer of the Metuchen Fire Department.
   
   
2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 10th day
of May in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand
and Five, and of the Independence of the United
States, the Two Hundred and Twenty-Ninth.

/s/ Richard J. Codey

Acting Governor
[seal]