Minnesota governor orders flags at half-staff to honor nurse killed in helicopter crash
(FOX 9) - Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff in honor and remembrance of Flight Nurse Debra K. Schott, who died in a helicopter crash last week in Brainerd, Minn.
According to the Governor's Office, all U.S. flags and Minnesota flags will be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the state from sunrise until sunset on Wednesday, July 3.
Schott spent the last 15 years as a critical care nurse for North Memorial Health Care and leaves behind a husband, two children, two grandchildren and many other friends and family.
“Flight Nurse Schott was an outstanding nurse who was respected and admired by her colleagues and served the public with dignity and pride as a flight nurse,” Walz wrote in the proclamation. “The State of Minnesota recognizes Flight Nurse Schott for her dedicated services to, and sacrifice for, her fellow citizens with its deepest gratitude, and all thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and entire community."
The crash also killed pilot Tim McDonald and injured paramedic Josh Duda.
North Memorial Health says the Federal Aviation Administration cleared its helicopter fleet to resume normal operations, but it is grounding its aircraft for the time being out of respect for the victims.