Murphy Orders Flags to Fly At Half-Staff in Honor of South Seaside Park Lifeguard

A memorial set up at the 21st Street Beach in South Seaside Park honoring lifeguard Keith Pinto, Sept. 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday ordered that the U.S. and New Jersey flags be flown at half-staff at all state buildings and facilities on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021 to honor Berkeley Township Beach Patrol Lifeguard Keith Pinto, who was fatally injured by a lightning strike while on-duty at White Sands Beach.

“I was devastated to learn of Keith’s passing in a tragic incident earlier this week,” said Murphy, in a statement. “He took on the selfless and great responsibility of protecting beachgoers at White Sands Beach. We mourn his loss and we will never forget his service to Berkeley Township and the many families that he kept safe. Our prayers are with Keith’s family, friends, and his fellow lifeguards.”

A memorial set up at the 21st Street Beach in South Seaside Park honoring lifeguard Keith Pinto, Sept. 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

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A memorial set up at the 21st Street Beach in South Seaside Park honoring lifeguard Keith Pinto, Sept. 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

A memorial set up at the 21st Street Beach in South Seaside Park honoring lifeguard Keith Pinto, Sept. 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

A memorial set up at the 21st Street Beach in South Seaside Park honoring lifeguard Keith Pinto, Sept. 2021. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

A memorial to Pinto only continues to grow at the 21st Street beach Wednesday, as candles and mementos left near his former lifeguard chair were left by a seemingly unending line of mourners.