Tuesday's Republican presidential debate brought thousands of people to downtown Milwaukee, including one protestor who burned a U.S. flag.

Milwaukee Police Officers Joel Rossman, Jedidiah Thompson and Jutiki X extinguished the flames, rescued the charred Star Spangled Banner and gave it a proper retirement, ceremoniously folding it.

Photo credit: The Milwaukee Police Department

Credit: Jennifer Brett

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Credit: Jennifer Brett

"The plume from the fire extinguisher prompted reports of tear gas being used," the police department said. "These reports were false."

The protestor may face charges, but the officers' immediate focus was on providing a "small, dignified ceremony to properly fold the flag before placing it on inventory."

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