LAPLACE – As residents of St. John the Baptist Parish struggle with the questions lingering from the recent death of 17-year old East St. John High School student James “Jim” Rogers, one couple came up with an answer which they hope will bring them some peace of mind.

Nicholas and Wanda Dendinger presented Sheriff Wayne L. Jones with a $1,000 donation to the “Bulletproof Vest” fund in Rogers’ name.

The Dendingers have been residents of Reserve for more than 22 years, and are friends of the Rogers’ family.

“What was done to Jim was hideous,” said Wanda, who is an operations technician at Marathon Ashland, while Nicholas is a crane operator at Bayou Steel. “If I can’t help my neighbor.

“I’m not going to harm them.”

Jones said the donation comes at an opportune time for the department.

Five new officers will be joining the department Friday after graduating from the Louisiana State University academy.

“Wanda came in before (Rogers’ memorial service) to congratulate us on a job well done and said she’d like to make a donation on his behalf,” said Jones. “I thank them for their concern and support.

“We appreciate their generosity.”

Jones said the life span of a bulletproof vest is about five years, making the fund a necessity to keep equipment current.

Wanda and Nicholas specifically asked that their contribution be for the Bulletproof Vest fund.

“The sheriff’s office responded so quickly (in the Rogers’ case). If our contribution can help save a life, we’ll be glad,” said Wanda.