North Dakota
What is the North Dakota Crime Victims Compensation Program?
WEST FARGO — North Dakota residents may have noticed advertising for the state’s Crime Victims Compensation program.
The program to help pay for innocent victims who are physically or emotionally injured in a crime has been around for decades, but the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which administers the funds, has recently stepped up advertising and outreach to educate the public.
The efforts are paying off, said McKenzie Clayburgh, a grants and contracts coordinator for the DOCR. In the six months she has been on the job, she has seen an uptick in victims applying for the funds.
“We are making a push to do more advertising to make the program feel more accessible, … more known,” she said. “I’d like more people to know about it and be able to get help if they need it.”
The program is used to help cover injury expenses when compensation isn’t available from insurance claims or restitution, according to the program’s website. That could include medical and mental health treatment, medications, funeral expenses, replacement services and loss of wages.
“We’re actually the payer of last resort,” Clayburgh said.
A victim can qualify up to $25,000 in losses, with some limitations. Victims of a terrorist act in a foreign country also can apply for the funds.
Victims have to report the crime to police within 96 hours, or four days of the crime or discovery of the crime. They also must cooperate with “reasonable requests” from law enforcement.
The victim must not have provoked or incited the crime, nor could they have been assisting in or committing a crime when they were injured.
They then have a year from when they reported the crime to apply for the funds through the state program.
Property loss or damage wouldn’t qualify, such as if a person broke into a car, she said.
The program was established nationwide in 1984 based on recommendations made by President Jimmy Carter’s Task Force on Victims of Crime, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Funds come from fines and penalties paid from convictions in federal courts. In North Dakota, roughly 3,000 victims accessed $2 million from the fund over the past five years, Clayburgh said.
The criminal system tends to focus on the offender, Clayburgh said, adding that the victim can sometimes be forgotten.
“I think that the crime victim compensation offers a way for victims to find healing and recovery through our program,” she said.
More information on the program and instructions on how to apply can be found at
docr.nd.gov/crime-victims-compensation
.
A celebration of life is being held in Moorhead on Friday for Liz Anne Conmy, who was killed alongside her partner in a plane crash in Brooklyn Park on Saturday.
The celebration of life will take place at RiverHaven Events Center from 4:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.
Those paying their respects are asked not to wear black in accordance with Conmy’s wishes, who said that one shouldn’t wear black to a funeral because it should be a celebration, and are asked to wear something colorful instead.
North Dakota State Representative Conmy and her partner, Dr. Joseph Cass, a retired Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, were killed when the Beechcraft F33A they were in crashed near Crystal airport.
At this time, an investigation into what caused the crash is still ongoing.
SEE North Dakota lawmaker 1 of 2 killed in plane crash near Crystal Airport
Commy, a mother of four with ties to Minnesota State University and the University of St. Thomas, was known for her dedication to environmental and educational issues.
Friends say the couple had a passion for flying and traveled together all over the country, including in Minnesota, where Cass had a lake house.
SEE Friends, colleagues remember North Dakota lawmaker and partner killed in plane crash
Conmy’s political colleagues say she was preparing to run for a second term in the North Dakota House of Representatives.
Submitted Photo
Randy Burckhard, right, receives the Commander’s Award for Public Service from Gen. S.L. Davis, left, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command and commander of Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command. The award was presented Tuesday, April 28, at the 2026 North Dakota Nuclear Triad Symposium in Minot. Photo from Minot Area Chamber EDC.
Randy Burckhard of Minot was caught by surprise when he was called to the stage to accept an award at the 2026 North Dakota Nuclear Triad Symposium held in Minot Tuesday, April 28.
Gen. S.L. Davis, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command and commander of Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command, presented Burckhard with the Commander’s Award for Public Service.
The award is in recognition of Burckhard’s distinguished service as an outstanding Air Force advocate representing Minot and surrounding areas, as part of the Air Force Global Strike Command Civic Leader Program, from Jan. 1, 2010-December 31, 2025.
“Randy has been a great supporter. He was an honorary commander when I was a wing commander (at Minot AFB from June 2011-June 2012). He became an Air Force Global Strike Civic Leader,” Davis said.
He said Burckhard recently asked to be moved to emeritus status but will continue to serve as a mentor for his replacement with the program.
Burckhard said it has been an honor and pleasure for him to serve and gave his appreciation for the award.
Maj. Thomas Barger, chief of Public Affairs at Minot Air Force Base, read the citation accompanying the award to symposium participants.
The citation states that during his tenure in the Air Force Global Strike Command Civic Leader Program, Burckhard represented the communities surrounding Minot AFB and supported the 36,000 airmen and families in Air Force Global Strike Command.
The citation also noted he provided vital advocacy for Spouse Licensure, the Interstate Compact for students, and tax exemptions for military members and retirees in North Dakota.
Burckhard, a state senator for 16 years, will retire at the conclusion of his term in late November.
The citation said that additionally, he advocated for the B-21, Sentinel and MH-139 programs through both his role on the Civic Leader Program, and as a leader with Task Force 21, whose Nuclear Triad Symposiums have served as a vital platform for both education and advocacy for the nuclear mission.
He routinely advised command senior leaders during annual commander’s conferences on matters affecting community partners, and highlighted community issues key to the Command’s mission. He also enhanced public awareness and support for Global Strike issues through engagements with his local, regional, state and national contacts.
“The distinctive accomplishments of Mr. Burckhard reflect great credit upon himself, Air Force Global Strike Command and the United States Air Force,” the citation concludes.
North Dakota
Armstrong directs flags to be flown at half-staff Friday in honor and remembrance of Rep. Liz Conmy
Conmy died Saturday, April 25, at age 67, along with her partner, Joe Cass, in a plane crash in Minnesota. Conmy had represented District 11 in the North Dakota House of Representatives since 2022.
A celebration of life service for Conmy will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at RiverHaven Events Center, 700 1st Ave. N., Moorhead, Minnesota.
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