On the first day of the 2020 legislative session, the Minnesota Senate paused its regular business to honor the Minnesota Army National Guard soldiers killed in a helicopter crash last year. Senator Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson) spoke on the Senate floor in memory of his constituent, Chief Warrant Officer 2 James A. Rogers, Jr., of Winsted. An official Minnesota Senate resolution in memory of Rogers was read aloud on the Senate floor and presented to his family.

“Today, in a solemn moment on the floor of the Minnesota Senate, we paused to remember the three Minnesota Army National Guard heroes killed during a routine maintenance flight near St. Cloud. These young men are heroes to our communities, our state, and our nation,” said Senator Newman. “Chief Warrant Officer 2 James A. Rogers, Jr. was a constituent from Winsted. At only 28 years old, his life ended far too soon. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rogers died a hero; his death leaves a big hole in our communities. I join all Minnesotans in mourning his loss.”

On Thursday, December 5, 2019, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter operated by the Minnesota Army National Guard took off from the St. Cloud airport on a routine maintenance flight. Soon after takeoff, pilots initiated a MAYDAY call before losing contact with the tower. After a search-and-rescue operation, emergency crews located the downed aircraft southwest of St. Cloud. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Charles P. Nord, Warrant Officer Candidate. Kort M. Plantenberg, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 James A. Rogers, Jr. were confirmed deceased.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 James A. Rogers, Jr. was born on June 23, 1991, in Madelia, Minnesota. He graduated from St. James High School in 2010 and St. Cloud State University in 2019. In June 2009, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rogers enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard as a Field Artillery Automated Tactical Data System Specialist with the 1-125FA in New Ulm. In 2013, he was commissioned as a Warrant Officer 1 after completing basic training and UH-60 Black Hawk flight school in Fort Rucker, Alabama. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rogers was deployed to Kuwait twice, providing aerial medical evacuation with the Minnesota National Guard Company C, 2-211th General in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve He is survived by his parents, James and Beth Rogers, his sister, Candis (Bryan) Folkens, and his grandmother, Patricia Hoffman.

“James was outgoing, charismatic, and beloved by family and friends. Chief Warrant Officer 2 James A. Rogers, Jr. is a hero to me, this body, and this state. His memory must not be forgotten,” said Senator Newman.

Senator Scott Newman represents communities in McLeod, Meeker, Sibley, and Wright counties in the Minnesota Senate. He serves as chair of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee.