If you ask anyone involved with the Nebraska State Patrol about what it means to be with the organization, one simple word will sum it up: Family. That family of troopers, investigators, dispatchers, rookies, veterans, and countless others were in attendance to celebrate the career of Trooper Jeff Rogers at his retirement party on Wednesday, June 12.
Rogers has been with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) in Troop D for 28 years, beginning his career on Sept 3, 1990 as a part of camp 36 which had over 50 recruits. Following graduation from camp, Rogers was assigned to Broken Bow as a trooper and was promoted two years later to trooper II. In 2007, Rogers was transferred to investigative services while remaining in Broken Bow.
When asked about why he joined the NSP, Rogers stated that it was something he grew up with and seemed like the thing to do.
“It was a family thing. My dad started on the [Nebraska] State Patrol in 1968 and he served up until his retirement in 1996, so it’s something I grew up with,” said Rogers. “My oldest brother had also joined prior to my employment with the state, so it just seemed like the thing to do.”
After spending five years in investigative services, Rogers was then transferred to traffic services on August 1, 2012, where he spent the remainder of his career before retiring on May 31, 2019.
“When I first started, my vision of the patrol was the officer out there making a traffic stop, working a motor vehicle crash, maybe helping someone change a flat tire. I just had envisioned that that was what I wanted to do,” said Rogers.
After 28 years on the force things will be different now, but Rogers says he is going to continue to stay busy even in retirement. He plans on working part time for a friend as well as being converted into a cowboy by his father-in-law.
Even though Rogers has completed his tour with the Nebraska State Patrol, he is grateful for the opportunities and the friendships created.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunities they gave me. The Patrol is a great agency to work for. It very much is family oriented. You always hear the term brotherhood and it truly is. These guys that I work with aren’t necessarily just my co-workers these guys are my friends. They are my family and there’s not a thing I wouldn’t do for any one of them,” said Rogers. “It was good career and I enjoyed it and I am looking forward to the next step.”
