Cuomo directs flags to half-staff

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Friday in honor of a New York soldier who died Sunday in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

Spc. Kyle R. Rookey of Oswego died in a non-combat related incident. He was a member of the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team. The division is based at Fort Carson, Colorado.

“On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend my condolences to the friends, family and fellow soldiers of Specialist Rookey,” Cuomo said.