I am not a fan of Gov. Christie, but he has clearly articulated his criteria for lowering the US Flag (not the state flag) at government buildings. He is not suggesting that individuals do so. His entire statement is found at :
Chris Christie on Whitney Houston flag-lowering controversy | Capitol Quickies
The highlight would be these sentences (edited for brevity)
"I don’t think anybody can argue with the fact that Whitney Houston made a significant cultural impact on the people of our state and the people of our country. And I believe that she deserves to be honored for that cultural impact and contribution that she made as a daughter of New Jersey. I understand there can be people who disagree with that. And I respect their disagreement. But I just want them to be accurate about it. Some of them have said, ‘You do this for her, you won’t do it for a fallen soldier.’ Well, every fallen soldier who has lost their life during this administration has had that honor. ‘You do it for her, but you won’t do it for a fallen police officer.’ Every fallen police officer in my administration has received that honor. So some people who are being critical are being critical without any knowledge of what the real facts are...I’m not saying that Whitney Houston is a role model. She’s not a role model in that respect, in every aspect of her life. But what she is is a cultural icon in the history of this state."
So for everyone who says "why not fallen soldiers".... He did it for soldiers, and police and firemen, and other musicians. He lowers the flag for the public contribution of the deceased, not the private troubles. He does not ask if the fallen cop was "crack addict" or an alcoholic, or made some poor life choices, they are honored for what they did for New Jersey. And I'm sorry to say that I suspect an element of racial animus in all these angry responses.