The Milwaukee Police Department has officially confirmed the tragic news that Officer Kendall Corder has died in the line of duty.
Earlier in the day, the Milwaukee Police Association wrote that Corder was on life support and asked people to stop speculating about his condition on social media.
However, around 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, the sad news came down from the MPD, which wrote in an official media advisory that Corder was “killed in the line of duty.”
“It is with deep heartbreak that the Milwaukee Police Association shares the passing of our brother Officer Kendall Corder, who succumbed to his injuries today after a courageous fight over the past three days. We wrap our arms around his family, friends, and brothers and sisters in blue whose strength and resilience in these terrible hours have been extraordinary,” the MPA wrote.
“Officer Corder was shot when he and his partner were ambushed while responding to a domestic violence call with a subject with a gun. That night, Officer Corder and his partner did what officers across our city do every day: he stepped up to protect the community despite the enormous risks. This will be his legacy, as it is for every Fallen Police Officer who stood between us and danger,” the MPA said.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of prayers and support of this community. Your compassion has been a source of strength for Officer Corder’s loved ones and his fellow officers. As we grieve this tragic loss, we renew our commitment to fighting for the safety and well-being of the men and women who stand on the front lines to protect all of us.”
Corder has been commemorated in many tributes flowing in from his family and colleagues.
“I want to thank everyone for their prayers, Father God has brought my grandson Officer Kendall Isaiah Corder to his new home,” Corder’s grandmother Rozlyne Corder, a senior pastor, wrote on Facebook.
Tremaine Jones is in custody. We previously reported that the Milwaukee County DA’s office had declined to prosecute four domestic violence cases against Jones, 22, in the months leading up to the shooting.
The department announced that, at 6 p.m. on June 29, “MPD will provide the media with additional information regarding the tragic loss of our officer that was killed in the line of duty.”
“Enough is enough. Stop trying to kill my police officers. The violence against our police officers is out of hand,” Milwaukee Police Association President Alex Ayala said in a previous news conference.
Corder and his partner Christopher McCray were shot on June 26 after being dispatched to a man with a gun call outside of their regular district. Internal records show that callers reported a man with a weapon that looked like a machine gun and also referred to a long gun and said he was shooting it in the air. Another reference in the records said the shooter hid in the bushes and was wearing a ski mask.
Following that media briefing, the procession to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s office will follow, the department said. The department announced:
Procession route: Exit staging area going eastbound
– Eastbound on W. Connell Av.
– (Left) Northbound on N. 87th St.
– (Left) Westbound on W. Watertown Plank Road
– Right Enter Interstate 41/45 South
– Stay right at 41 / 94 Split for 94 Eastbound
– Exit 94 East at N. James Lovell Av. – Continue northbound on N. James Lovell Av.
– (Left) Westbound on W. State St.
– (Right) Northbound on N. 9th St.
