Local nonprofit to support 6 families of first responders who 'died while serving others'

A Minnesota nonprofit announced it will pay death benefits to the families of six first responders who died while working to help others. 

The Front Line Foundation made the announcement Wednesday. 

According to a press release from the organization, the Front Line Foundation's first benefit payments were to the families of the three National Guard members who died in a helicopter crash near St. Cloud. The three crewmen killed in the crash included Chief Warrant Officer 2 James A. Rogers Jr., 28, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Charles P. Nord, 30, and Warrant Officer Candidate Kort M. Plantenberg, 28.

Guardsmen remember fallen comrades killed in helicopter crash

The organization will also pay benefits to the family of Howard Lake Fire Chief Daryl Drusch, who died from an apparent heart attack after responding to an emergency call of a car submerged in water.

Body of fallen Howard Lake fire chief escorted home

The families of Curt and Steve Boesl, two brothers and firefighters who died during a farming accident, will also receive benefits. 

Memorial placed for 2 brothers killed in central Minnesota farm accident

The Front Line Foundation was founded in 2018 to offer financial support to the families of first responders who died in the line of duty, according to the release.