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Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - The names of the Rochester police officers involved in a shooting earlier this week have been released.

The Minnesota BCA has identified the officer who fired his weapon as James Perry, who has been with the Rochester Police Dept. for four years. The initial police report indicated he fired his gun after a car struck and injured another officer.

The BCA has identified that officer as Nick Kruger. He has been an RPD officer for two years.

He was standing in the parking lot of an apartment complex when he was hit by a car driven by a man who had fled from an earlier traffic stop. Kruger was thrown over the car and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the car also crashed into two squads before he was apprehended. Arrested was 26-year-old Dawante Atkins of Rochester.

The BCA continues its investigation into the incident and will provide its findings without recommendations for possible charges to the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office for review.

RPD has released this background information about the two officers:

Officer Perry was hired by the Rochester Police Department as a part time Community Service Officer in May of 2016. In March of 2017, he was hired as a full time Police Officer. He has no disciplinary action in his 4-year tenure. Officer Perry has received the following awards:

  • November of 2017 – Department Lifesaving Award
  •  June of 2018 – Letter of Appreciation
  •  August of 2019 – Letter of Appreciation

Officer Kruger was hired by the Rochester Police Department as a full-time Police Officer in March of 2018. Officer Kruger has no disciplinary action in his 2-year tenure. He has received the following awards:

  •  January of 2019 – Letter of Appreciation
  •  January of 2020 – Department Award of Honor – Valor - Lifesaving

 

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