A Facebook page has been set up for people to pay their respects and it already has over three thousand fans. That goes to show the kind of community we have, where people rightfully hold dear the men and women who risk their safety to protect ours.
One thing that makes this so infuriating is the fact that Sgt. Kenner has been a well-known part of Bismarck for decades. Anybody who was a teenage driver within the last thirty years knew of Officer Kenner. In fact, he was an expert in traffic enforcement and, as a young motorcyclist, that’s how I encountered him most frequently.
I remember sitting at a red light with FOREVER on one of my motorcycles many years ago, late at night, with Officer Kenner (he made Sergeant in 2000) behind my friends and me in his patrol car. I let the light go through a few cycles without turning the light green in the left turning lane which I occupied, looked over my shoulder at Officer Kenner to convey my intentions, and looked back ahead as I proceeded through the light. Naturally I saw red strobes in my mirrors a few seconds later!
Since I used to build the type of inductive loop sensors that the traffic signals used when I worked at the DOT, I knew that the one beneath my bike was unaffected by the large amounts of aluminum, titanium, and magnesium in the motorcycle. They’re not very effective on these sensors. I explained my case to Sgt. Kenner and he agreed with my explanation, and we parted ways. I thought that was quite fair. Then he wrote up one of the guys I was riding with for not having proof of liability insurance.
I read in the Tribune that Sgt. Kenner performed a lot of noteworthy feats in his career, saving lives and performing rescues. He received many commendations and awards, as the newspaper and TV articles will tell you…but he was more than that. He was a part of Bismarck that you just always expect to be there. Then along comes some good-for-nothing jackhole who, for no reason at all, takes him from us. I’m being as careful as I can with my words because I’m very angry, and clearly many others in our community are as well.
I’m sure there will be many things said in heartfelt remembrance of Sergeant Steve Kenner, I think the most meaningful I can articulate is what I said above: Sergeant Steve Kenner had a PLACE in this community. Only he could fill it. You didn’t have to know him personally to be glad that he was in that place, and you don’t have to have known him personally to be furious that his place is now occupied only by his memory.
It’s no secret that I’m a passionate advocate for local law enforcement. I’ve participated in ride-alongs, had the privilege of attending the Citizens’ Police Academy, I was a first lieutenant in the Mandan Police Explorers youth club and spent lots of time helping in the control room of the Mandan LEC before leaving for college. I have a great deal of respect for the men and women who serve in law enforcement, and I pray for them daily. I encourage you to do the same; don’t let it take a tragedy like this to get you to that point.
As we offer prayers on behalf of Sergeant Kenner’s family, let’s remember the others who mourn his loss as well as those who continue to serve on a daily basis to keep our communities safe. They work long, hard jobs dealing with people you and I would loathe or fear, and they do it without recognition. Please give them your support daily as they continue to perform their duty even in the shadow of this terrible tragedy.
