ROGERS, Minn. – The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Above and Beyond Award was presented to the Rogers Police Department by ESGR Committee Member Bob Adams April 30 at the Rogers Police Department in recognition of the department’s outstanding support of its military employees’ service to the Minnesota National Guard and Reserves.
Receiving the award on behalf of the department was Rogers’ Police Chief Dan Wills. Also present to participate in the award was Rogers Mayor Rick Ihli and Rogers City Council members Kevin Jullie, Mark Eiden, Amy Enga, and Shannon Klick.
This award is given in limited numbers by ESGR State Committees to employers who have had at least one of their supervisors/managers recognized with a Patriot Award and who have signed an ESGR Statement of Support. This award will be given to only 30 businesses this year, from hundreds of Patriot Award nominations received in Minnesota, that have honored their employees’ service in the United States military by providing assistance or benefits that go beyond the minimum required by the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA).
Chief Wills stated,” Police Officer Sydney Higgins, who is also a Petty Officer 1st Class with the United States Navy Reserve, has been on active duty orders for the past several months, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. She has greatly appreciated the support that our City Council and staff have given her while deployed and nominated us for the Patriot award. Our police department is comprised of over 20% military veterans, and we are proud of that! Our city has and will continue to support our military staff while they protect and defend our country. Thank you to the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, the United States Navy, and Officer Higgins for this honor!”
Previously Higgins, who is an officer with the Rogers Police Department, stated,” I wanted to reiterate how much I appreciate all of the support from the City of Rogers including but not limited to the City Council, Police Chief, and my partners. I wish I could have nominated everyone because it took a lot more than just the Chief to fill in for me. My absence has caused a lot of my partners to work extra shifts and change their schedules. Even though I'm gone for a long period of time, everyone has made an effort to reach out and I'm extremely thankful for that. Everyone has been and continues to be very supportive and I appreciate all of their efforts. The support has made things a lot easier, and I can't wait to come back and continue doing the job I love!” ESGR is a Department of Defense office that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers. This year, ESGR celebrates over 51 years of excellence in support of the Reserve Components and their civilian employers. For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.
Photo 1 from left to right: Rogers Council members Kevin Jullie and Mark Eiden, Petty Officer 1st Class Sydney Higgins, U.S. Navy Reserve, Mayor Rick Ihli, Chief Dan Wills, Council member Amy Enga, Council member Shannon Klick, and Bob Adams ESGR.
Photo 2 from left to right: Petty Officer 1st Class Sydney Higgins, Bob Adams ESGR, Chief Dan Wills, and Mayor Rick Ihli. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Williams, Rogers Communications Coordinator)