(Columbia) April 4, 2005 - All over the country and even outside the US, the American flag flies at half staff in honor of Pope John Paul II. That follows a Presidential proclamation issued on Saturday.

But the flag has not been lowered over the South Carolina State House. A spokesman for the Governor's office says Governor Mark Sanford is prohibited by statute from lowering the flag.

Will Folks says there is, "nothing the governor can do" to order the flag lowered. Military personnel and police officers killed in the line of duty are covered under the statute.

The flag was also lowered in 2003 after the explosion of the space shuttle Columbia.

Posted 6:00pm by Chantelle Janelle