Community honors fallen MPD Officer Corder with fundraisers, support for his family

MILWAUKEE (CBS58) -- Hundreds of law enforcement from across the country are expected to attend the funeral procession for Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) Officer Kendall Corder Friday, July 11, after the visitation at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield. When law enforcement officers mourn one of their own, so does the community. Now, many are coming together to honor fallen Officer Corder. 

"The word travels fast among police officers when one of ours was lost," said Greg Friberg, retired Wisconsin police officer.

After more than 50 years in law enforcement, Greg Friberg retired from the force in 2023.

"Back in the 70s and 80s, I was going to police funerals in Milwaukee probably every other year, sometimes every year," said Friberg.

However, he hasn't stopped serving his community and fellow officers.

"This line of work you have to be prepared to put your life on a line for another officer," said Friberg.

Friberg was once a sketch artist with the New Berlin Police Department and Wisconsin State Capitol Police. Now he uses his talents to honor fallen officers.

"I called a couple of my people at my old PD in Milwaukee and said I'll be coming in tomorrow to do a drawing," Friberg explained.

He draws their portraits with the hope of bringing comfort to families and friends.

"The guys would lose a friend and a partner to have that there as a reminder and they look at it and they can remember him and I can remember all the things they did with him," said Friberg.

Friberg says while he never met Officer Corder, he knew Milwaukee lost someone special.

"Everything I heard about the man told me he was a really good police officer well-liked and respected. What really struck me though was the family offered his organs for transplants after he died so he was giving to the community after he died," said Friberg.

Friberg isn't alone in wanting to help. Co-owner of Carnevor and 3rd St Market Hall, Omar Shaikh, is holding a fundraiser for Officer Corder's family.

"Right now, we need to think about the family this is something they're going to feel for years," said Shaikh.

Shaikh is partnering with Summerfest, the Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks and Green Bay Packers for big ticket auction items.

"They're all going to donate a really cool experience we are only going to have a four-item auction it's not just a dinner for two, they are bigger packages," Shaikh explained.

The Fallen Officer Fundraising Event will be July 23 from 4-6 p.m. at Venue 3 inside 3rd St Market Hall.

Shaikh says event details will be announced early next week and 100% of the event proceeds will be donated to the MPD Fallen Heroes Fund to support affected families.

Back at MPD District 2, where Officer Corder worked, Friberg's sketch will hang on display.

It will also be at his funeral this Friday.

"It's what I do but I don't want to I don't want to do that again. This is not something I look forward to at all," said Friberg.