Hundreds of area citizens joined hundreds of law enforcement officers on Thursday for a memorial service honoring slain Sergeant Steve Kenner of the Bismarck Police Department. The number of people attending, uniformed and civilian, was larger than any local church could hold.
Mayor Warford gave remarks honoring Sgt Kenner’s service, saying that his stature as a man was paralleled by his stature as an officer and member of the community.
Chief Witt expressed that even now he’s learning of things Sgt. Kenner did in this community that touched the lives of Bismarck citizens, things that nobody knew he did until the letters began pouring in at the Police Department over the last week.
Back when I was just a kid hanging out at the police department control room at any opportunity, Craig Sjoberg was one of my favorite officers. He also offered his personal recollections of Sgt. Kenner.
I was encouraged at the sight of many of my fellow citizens who came, like me, to join in support of all those grieving. Things like this make a fella proud of the community…
Just as the sight of people lining the streets along the route of the procession. It was an emotional thing, seeing people slowly arrive and display flags, flowers, even handmade signs of support. When the procession began, despite the number of people waiting at this intersection, downtown Bismarck was SILENT. It was a very moving experience.
One reason why Bismarck enjoys a low crime rate is because of its professional police department and officers like Sergeant Kenner who risk their safety to protect ours. Another is because of a community that will band together in support of those officers. People lined Fifth Street, Main Avenue, the Memorial Bridge, all along the route to the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery. I was told that afternoon by people who were in the procession that the show of the community was amazing and really meant a lot.
I put together a little video of part of the procession with the audio of A Hero’s Last Call. This audio was among the most stirring things I’ve ever heard, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the Civic Center as it played.
Bismarck surely has suffered a tragic loss, one I hope we never forget. What can we do to help honor the memory of Bismarck’s lone fallen police officer? I think I have an idea:
Update: You can read Sgt. Kenner’s nomination by clicking here. (see below for background)
The New York Says Thank You Foundation is sending a National 9/11 Flag around the country to have it stitched back to its original format after being damaged during the terrorist attacks ten years ago. Commemorative patches are sewn on in each state. This flag will be in Bismarck on August 12th and they are looking for nominations of local service heroes to help stitch the flag.
Fill out the form with your information and a description of what Sergeant Kenner’s service and the Bismarck Police Department mean to you. Tell them that you wish to ask the Bismarck Police Department choose a representative to participate on Sergeant Kenner’s behalf and in his memory.
For “Their email” you can enter “bismarckpd@nd.gov” and for phone number “701-223-1212”. That will ensure that inquiries from the organization reach the Bismarck Police Department.
Here’s a link to the poster for the event (PDF): Click Here
Here’s a link to the press release for the National 9/11 Flag (PDF): Click Here
Spread the word, let our local law enforcement know that we stand with them, and help honor a local hero!
