Flags to half staff for fallen Post Falls Police officer

October 23, 2023

Governor Brad Little has ordered both the U.S. and State of Idaho flags to be flown at half-staff to honor 36-year-old Post Falls Police Officer Nicholas McDaniel, who died in the line of duty Sunday. Flags shall be flown at half-staff immediately until the day following the date of McDaniel's memorial service, in accordance with Idaho Code 67-820. In conjunction with the president's national directive in memory of the lives lost in the October 25  shooting in Maine, flags will be raised to full staff at sundown Monday, October 30.
"All of Idaho mourns when we lose an officer in the line of duty," Little said. "Officer McDaniel was dedicated to his community and public safety, and we are deeply saddened by his sudden passing. Please keep Officer McDaniel's family, many colleagues, and the Post Falls community in your prayers."

According to the City of Post Falls Police Department, McDaniel failed to respond to a status check from the communications center after completing a call for service.

Officers were dispatched to McDaniel’s last known location, where they found him slumped over the wheel of his police vehicle.

The officers on scene immediately started CPR until Kootenai County Fire and Rescue arrived on scene and transported McDaniel to Kootenai Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The cause of death has been determined to be a massive heart attack.

McDaniel had served with the Post Falls Police Department for almost a year, coming to North Idaho from Kona, Hawaii, where he'd served with the Hawai'i Police Department for 13 years. He was honored as the Department's Officer of the Month in January, 2013. This photo was taken at that ceremony.