Fallen MPD Ofc. Corder remembered in emotional funeral service: 'The world is a better place because of who Kendall was'
Elmbrook Church MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Police Officer Kendall Corder was laid to rest on Friday, July 11. We heard multiple emotional statements from those who served with and oversaw Officer Corder, from the risk police officers willingly take and how Corder embodied that.
Funeral for fallen MPD Ofc. Kendall Corder
At the funeral service, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson opened his remarks saying Corder, "represented the very best of us."
Multiple speakers talked about the initial impression Corder made with his imposing physical stature, only for them to be truly impressed by his commitment and concern for others.
One such story came from Steve Kaminski, the former school resource officer at Cudahy High School when Corder was a student. He talked about how Corder left a lasting impression on the kids who came after him.
"I often told other students at the school about Kendall's dedication and commitment and wished they would have the same commitment as Kendall did. I asked many times for students to look up to Kendall, and I didn't have to. They knew that already," said Kaminski.
MPD Ofc. Kendall Corder (left)
Kaminski and others also shared funny stories. One former colleague joked about Corder's bottomless appetite and how costly that was when he offered to cover the bill on a trip to Buffalo Wild Wings.
But there were also plenty of sorrow during the service. Multiple times, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman got choked up during his remarks. It happened as he recited a poem to the officers gathered at the service.
"Our brother has been taken, and though we wonder why, we still perform our duties as days...and then weeks go by," Chief Norman said through tears.
Another memorable story about Corder's youth came from Kaminski. CBS 58 previously shared the story about how, as a teen, he helped save the life of another student who was choking.
Kaminski said he was a hard-hitting football player, but he was the kind that would knock someone out of their cleats, then extend his hand to help his opponent back up.
That was the kind of personality and spirit remembered Friday afternoon.
"Every single person described Kendall as a beacon of light," Milwaukee Police Department Captain Erin Mejia. "That light is never going to be dimmed."
