Milwaukee Police Officer Kendall Corder funeral: full coverage

MILWAUKEE - Kendall Corder was laid to rest on Friday. The Milwaukee police officer, shot near 25th and Garfield last month, died of his injuries on June 29. He was 32 years old.

Funeral services

What they're saying:

For the second time in less than three years, Elmbrook Church in Brookfield served as the venue for a Milwaukee police officer's funeral.

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"When you see Kendall in person, you have to appreciate his presence, for he is as tall as he is wide," said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. "With his larger-than-life presence, there was a quiet humility about him that made him truly special."

At 32 years old, Kendall Corder seemed to have a long life ahead of him. He knew the risks the day he joined the police academy; he decided to serve anyway.

Two years before Cavalier Johnson was elected mayor, Corder's father pinned badge number 3509 on his uniform.

"That very same badge his father wears right now at this moment," Johnson said Friday. "He served with honor."

More FOX6 News coverage

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On his last call, Corder was shot three times – including one bullet that struck his neck and severed his spine. His partner, Christopher McCray, took three bullets of his own.

"You sir, are a warrior," said MPD Capt. Erin Mejia of District 2, where Corder and McCray worked. "You’re going to walk with him as your guardian for the rest of your life. There’s nothing more you could have done that you didn’t do that night."

For Norman, the words did not come easily on Friday. His message was hard to miss.

"Rest easy brother. We’ve got it from here," he said.

"You are now relieved from your watch," said Mejia.

Dig deeper:

Garrett Rose, Wisconsin Memorial Park's president, noted that the cemetery gifted the crypt to the family. So when they buried the fallen officer, all they needed to focus on was the memories and the legacy attached to his name.

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"Our goal is to make sure this family’s needs, wants are all taken care of with no worries," he said amid preparations.

Cemetery staff said Corder would be laid to rest not far from at least two other fallen MPD officers: Peter Jerving and Michael Michalski.

Flags initially placed on the property for the Fourth of July celebrations remained for the procession, honoring the officer shot in the line of duty.

The Milwaukee Police Department's Honor Guard paid tribute to Corder during the funeral service.

"You have to be that stoic defender. Because we are guarding him until it's time to send him to his next life," MPD Sgt. Paul Graczyk said as the city prepared, who noted it can be a hard job to do on someone's worst day.

The MPD Honor Guard said one they added to pay tribute to Corder is a class flag from when he graduated from the academy in 2019. 

Community lines procession route

Local perspective:

Community members lined the procession route hours before it began just to pay their final respects to Corder.

The frequency of such processions has not made them any less emotional. A silent salute signaled the end of watch for a fallen Milwaukee police officer for the sixth time in seven years.

"Sad to see this. Senseless, and it just makes me so sad," said Leslie Burzynski of Brookfield.

Kate Smith held a flag high most of the day, even in the rain.

"I feel I owe it to them to stand here and let them know I’m here for them no matter the weather," she said.

It was the unfortunate reality of the string of recent deaths in the line of duty. The officers and honor guards knew their assignments. And for every mile of the procession route, it was clear the public did, too. 

"They put their lives on the line every day, every shift they have, and I just think it’s important to show support," said Kevin Lahr of Sussex.

Silent, a community stood with flags and heavy hearts as a hearse escorted Corder’s body from Elmbrook Church to Wisconsin Memorial Park.

"It's so important for us to show our respect to these officers who watch over us every day. I mean, it's amazing what we see them do and what we don't see them do," said Joe Brien of Milwaukee.

Once they arrived, Corder’s family went down to street level to see the procession for themselves and thank those who stood in support.

Remembering Corder

What they're saying:

A number of people who knew Corder spoke before or during Friday's services.

MPA President Alex Ayala

"It's a calling. They're not – they're not going to quit. They're not going to go anywhere. They're going to put on their badge tomorrow and keep protecting the citizens of the city of Milwaukee. We know it's dangerous, but we love to do this job."

Mayor Cavalier Johnson

"The entire city is mourning with you all today, everyone is, so let us thank Milwaukee Police Officer Kendall Corder. May his life, may his memory, his service and his honor be a reminder and also a blessing to us all."

Police Chief Jeffrey Norman

"With his larger-than-life presence, there was a quiet humility about him that made him truly special…we will never forget him."

MPD Capt. Erin Mejia

"Until we meet again, rest easy kendall Isaiah Corder – badge 3509, squad 2253. You are now relieved from your watch."

MPD Chaplain George Papachristou

"Kendall will be remembered for the sacrifice he made, but more importantly, for the life he lived. His service will never be forgotten. God bless you, Officer Kendall Corder. May you rest in peace. Well done, good and faithful servant. Thank you."

Retired Cudahy Police Officer Steve Kaminski

"I often told other students at (Cudahy High) school about Kendall's dedication to commitment, and wish that they would have that same commitment as Kendall did. I had asked many times for students to look up to Kendall, and they didn't have to – they knew that already."

MPD Det. Keith Miller

"He was a hero before he even put on the department's uniform. And although Kendall was no longer with us physically – spiritually, we know that he and other fallen officers are watching over us…all as they guards heaven's gates...Kendall was a hero. Kendall is a hero, our fallen officers will always be heroes. And they will never be forgotten."

'I love being a police officer'

What they're saying:

Corder had just over six years of experience on the job. His family told FOX6 News he had wanted to be a police officer since he was a child.

"I love being a police officer," Corder said in a video shared with FOX6. "It's an exciting job. It's never a dull day, you never know what's going to happen, and you get to help people."

Loved ones said, despite his position of authority, Corder was the sweetest soul. Family members also said the 32-year-old always wanted to be a father and was often in "Uncle mode."

"Everything about Kendall provided peace and protection," said Red Rozay, Corder's older cousin. "Kendall always wanted to make you laugh, he always wanted to go the extra mile to make you comfortable."

"He was amazing. He was a very kind and gentle man," said retired MPD Sgt. Kathryn Anderer. "He just was special. You hate to say you have favorites, but he truly was one of my favorites. We had a bond, and it just wasn't police work."

Rozay said Corder spent his teen years in Cudahy. He graduated from high school in 2012, playing numerous sports along the way.

FOX6 also spoke with Corder's grandmother off camera, who said she is happy her grandson's legacy is that of bravery. 

Corder's friend, Amanda Ilecki, remembered his life and the conversations they had before his death in the line of duty.

"He wanted to dive into this work at such a young age. I asked him why, he was like, ‘I feel like it's my calling,’" Ilecki said. "He was a good person, all around…Every time I ran into him, he said, ‘I still like what I'm doing.’"

Honoring the fallen

What you can do:

If you are looking for a way to help the families of officers, you can donate to MPA Fallen Heroes, Inc. According to the organization, every dollar offers immediate emergency aid for injured officers and supports long-term recovery for officers and their families.

Kathryn Anderer, Corder's former sergeant, is spearheading an effort to raise $50,000 to send Corder's family and close co-workers to Washington, D.C. next spring.

Each year, law enforcement officers make the trek to the capital for National Police Week. This spring, Corder's name will be added to the memorial wall.

After his death, a procession of police squads led Corder's body from the hospital to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office. Another procession led him to the funeral home days later. 

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A memorial grew outside Milwaukee Police District 2. It centered on the squad Corder and fellow Officer Christopher McCray were assigned to the night that they were shot. Flowers, balloons and letters surrounded the vehicle.

"I like the Milwaukee Police Department, and I like the first responders," said 9-year-old Ayden Segundo, who left a handwritten note at the memorial. "Thank you for protecting my city and making it a safer place for me to grow up in."

Officers from agencies across the country are in town, too, to pay their respects to Corder. Many of them are associated with the Brotherhood for the Fallen nonprofit, which formed in Chicago in 2010 to ensure that any time an officer dies in the line of duty, uniformed officers from across the country will be there.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers ordered flags be flown at half-staff in Corder's honor. 

Officers shot, charges filed

The backstory:

On the night of June 26, Milwaukee Police Officers Kendall Corder and Christopher McCray were shot near 25th and Garfield. They were initially called for a report of a person with a weapon, which was upgraded to shots fired while they were on the way.

When the officers arrived and stepped out of their squad, they were unexpectedly shot in an alley. Assistant Police Chief Nicole Waldner noted the officers were unable to return fire.

Corder dropped to the ground, and McCray – who had been shot in the foot, leg and back – ran to grab Corder's firearm and protect him, according to a criminal complaint. Backup officers and a tactical team arrived shortly after the shooting.

The two officers were taken to Froedtert Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center. McCray was released from the hospital two days after the shooting. Court filings said Corder suffered three gunshot wounds, one of which severed his spine, and died on June 29.

The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office charged 22-year-old Tremaine Jones with intentional homicide, attempted homicide and endangering safety less than a week after the shooting.

Dig deeper:

Prosecutors said there were fights between groups of women over Jones and allegations of cheating. While at an apartment building before officers arrived, Jones fired shots into the air. The officers arrived a short time later.

According to the complaint, McCray said he and Corder were walking down an alley when he saw a flash coming from some bushes and heard a bang that "sounded like a firework." More flashes and bangs, which were gunshots, followed. 

Police recovered 16 total rifle cartridge casings at the scene "consistent with the shots being fired from the bushes" as McCray described, court filings said. They later recovered a rifle along a fence line that the Milwaukee Police Department Fusion Center later determined was "consistent" with being the gun that fired all 16 rounds. Forensic investigators pulled a latent fingerprint identified as Jones' from the weapon.

The complaint said police found a social security card, birth certificate and several debit cards with Jones' name on them inside a backpack in a nearby backyard. There was also a receipt from a West Allis gun shop that showed Jones bought a gun on June 17 and picked it up on June 19.

Jones was arrested the morning after the shooting at a home nar 37th and Villard.

Additional court filings later revealed that Jones said he initially did not know the people he shot were police officers. 

Milwaukee County prosecutors also charged two other people in connection to the shooting.

Court records show 19-year-old Jermela Kittler is charged with harboring/aiding a felon, and 22-year-old Bryshawn Tyler is charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.

Prosecutors said Kittler lied to police about hiding Jones in her home, where he was ultimately arrested. Court filings also said Jones sent her back to the shooting scene to try to retrieve the rifle.

Tyler's charge stems from shooting a gun from the apartment at Jones, according to court filings.