MINNEAPOLIS, MN (February 13, 2020) – The Front Line Foundation announced today they have started 2020 by paying death benefits to six families of first responders who have died while serving others.
Three of the first 2020 benefit payments were made to the families of National Guardsmen who were killed in a helicopter crash in early December of 2019. The families of Chief Warrant Officer 2 James A. Rogers Jr, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Charles P. Nord, and Sgt. Kort M. Plantenberg all received payments in January that will help them cover expenses until military benefits commence.
Howard Lake Fire Chief, Daryl 'Taddy' Drusch, who perished following saving the life of an individual only to return home and die within 12 hours of the rescue. And brothers Steve and Curt Boesl, veteran firefighters who died in a tragic farming accident and were honored for their commitment to public safety.
In addition, “Beyond the Call of Duty” death benefits have been awarded to two other families.
Founded in late 2018, The Front Line Foundation was formed to support Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters and EMT first responders across Minnesota. The Foundation grants financial support to families of first responders who have died in the line of duty. The Foundation’s mission is to bridge the gap between the death and benefits being paid, which can help families with ongoing expenses. The Foundation also provides support in the purchase of tactical equipment for first responders, which isn’t included in department budgets.
“While we can’t change what has happened, we can offer a helping hand to these families who are grieving terrible losses,” said Brent Rohlik, Front Line Foundation Co-Founder and Board Member. “It is so important for these families to know someone has their back.”
The six death benefits paid by the Foundation in 2020 already eclipses the five paid in 2019.
“We are incredibly proud to be able to honor these men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Rohlik. “Because of the outstanding support we receive from our donors we are able to make an immediate impact in the lives of these grieving families, when they need it most.”
About the Front Line Foundation
The Front Line Foundation began as an attempt to help and support our Fallen Heroes, including Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, EMTs, and the Minnesota National Guard. The Frontline Foundation provides support to those who died while in the line of duty, by giving benefit payments to dependents of fallen first responders. Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, and EMT First Responders face armed and dangerous criminals, impaired individuals wielding weapons, even emotionally charged and threatening domestic disputes. They are The Front Line Defenders of our neighborhoods, towns, and cities who face and diffuse the high-risk, frequently appalling situations we know or hear about, with disbelief, on the news. In addition to providing endowments and support for the families of fallen heroes, The Front Line Foundation will underwrite scholarships and training registration costs for Front Line personnel as well as support preparedness training for safety officers in hospitals, schools, and places of worship. Further, we assist with the purchase of needed safety and tactical equipment not currently within the budget of the local unit of government.
For more information please visit www.thefrontlinemn.org
