Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Although I never met you, your death has always been on my mind. I had just entered the Chicago Police Academy on June 15, 1970. The morning of your death I was sitting in the auditorium at the University of Illinois, Chicago when a detective walked to the front of our class. He was holding a clear plastic bag containing the uniform hat that you had been wearing when you were shot in the head. Seeing the shredded and blood splattered contents of the hat and body parts made me pause to rethink my decision to become a police officer. I hope that my career that followed would make you proud.

William Dorsch, detective
Chicago Police/Area 5

September 7, 2021

To the family and friends of Patrolman Kaner. Know that he is not forgotten, and the tasks which he undertook on behalf of society being noble and brave continue to be honored by the men and women who serve in the Chicago Police Department.

Det. Richard Hagen #20606
Chicago Police Department

August 7, 2020

Patrolman Kaner,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Chicago. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

June 19, 2020

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you Hero and your family for your courage and sacrifice. Always remembered.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

June 19, 2020

Thank you for your service and know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo (Retired)
Delaware State Police

June 19, 2020

Thinking of you and your family today and all police families for your sacrifice. You would be as proud of them as they are of you especially on Fathers Day. Those of us lucky to grow up with our fathers in our lives have a special empathy for those who did not. Thank you to them for being who they are. They also demonstrate how important Mothers Day is too I'd like to think anyways.

Chicago Area Citizen

June 17, 2018

RIP brother. Watch over your son and the rest of us working the beat. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten!

Greg
Wayne State University Police

June 12, 2018

As another year arrives, let no one think we have not forgotten. Peace and prayers to the family and you are all in our thoughts. Let no one wonder if the public supports the police. We do and especially now.

Chicago area citizen

May 26, 2018

I was sworn in for only a few days and a guy from the crime lab brought in to our group all that remained of Kenneth Kaner's uniform hat. I'll never forgot that moment and his sacrifice.

Patrolman Chris Orozco Retired
Chicago Police Department

October 3, 2016

bring back the death penalty in cop killing cases, theres no parole from the hangman.

sgt larry ashe(ret)
cpd

October 1, 2016

Kenneth (kenny) Kaner was an Officer I had the privilege to work with in Area 1 TF. He was a friend. I was invited to his home where I witnessed his love to this wife and kids and there love for him. He was deprived of this life, and his family was deprived of him with this senseless act that took his life. The offenders in this crime should NEVER see the light of day or enjoy the freedom that they took from Kenny. BLUE LIVES MATTER.

JD BURKE

Detective Retired
Chicago Police Department

October 1, 2016

Letter to the Prisoner Review Board in the mail today
RIP brother...

Lt. RPS Gene T. Spanos
Rosemont P.D. & Fire

September 30, 2016

Friends, if you have time in your busy schedule, please send a letter to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board (319 E Madison St., Suite A, Springfield, IL 62701, RE: C15289 Bruce Sharp) asking that they deny parole to the man (Sharp) that killed Chicago Police Officer Kenneth G. Kaner on June 19, 1970, leaving behind a wife, a 7 year old daughter and a 5 year old son. Letters are due by 10/24/16. We know that we ask a lot of you, but his killer has been put up on parole annually. After we attend the hearing and a decision has been made, we will let you know the outcome. You can find some of the details of Officer Kaner's murder at http://www.odmp.org/officer/7326-patrolman-kenneth-g-kaner. We thank you for your continued support. The Kaner Family

Family Member
Family

September 10, 2016

Remembering you Officer Kaner and your family on today, fathers day. Thank you to all the cops for not only what you do at home but what you do for the rest of us though your profession.

Citizen

June 19, 2016

Zambito is right. You and your family are not forgotten. Prayers to the Kaner family and another time of rememberence. May God bless you all.

citzen

June 27, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 19, 2015

kurt i knew your dad as a teenager we all followed him he was allways a leader he excelled at not only boxing but more importantly common sense. there were a lot of us kids living in and around the burnes building then but your dad was the guy we all wished we could be like when he died it was a death to the whole parish im 75 now but i still havent forgoten your dad. gil logan

gil logan
family friend

November 26, 2014

Another year, another time for rememberance. And we remember your sevice, your sacrifice and that of your family. This incident is something that woke me up and made me understand the dangers of being the police. Bruce Sharp needs to understand we will never forget. We advocate to the PRB that he continues to be held accountable for the consequences of his action. There are no breaks for this kind of executioner.

A Citizen
Chicago Area

June 29, 2014

Dear Officer Kaner and Family,
I too am the child of a fallen officer. Having been only 6 when my dad was killed, I know how you feel having grown up without him. I've recently been on a search for something, anything, with my father's voice, of which I have no memory.
If I can be of any assistance in keeping Sharp in prison, please do not hesitate to contact me.
You and your family will remain in my prayers.

Susan R. Mistretta
Daughter of Patrolman James O. Sexton

July 4, 2013

Remembered and spent some time on the 19th thinking about this and the family of Officer Kaner. But today, June 30th the Chicago Sun Times had a good and rather matter of fact front page article about this incident and the paradox involved which may be unprecedented, at the least highly unusual to all the other memorials at ths site. It also contained his offical police photo probably when he became a CPD officer I guess about 1961. I read it and I continue to stand with the Kaner family as any law abiding citizen would conclude. The world that Bruce Sharp lived in at the time is only somewhat better but really, at the end of the day Englewood has changed little. Justce includes accountability and if anything, I am going to work on my next letter to the IL Prisoner Review Board urging Mr. Sharp remains in prison. God bless you. It is your unfortuneate obligation to live with this but it is our duty as citizens to support you and all the other families of officers at this site who gave their lives in service to we citizens. I often too think of Terry Loftus who could have just kept going. We do not take that sacrifice or your continuing grief lightly. By the way, in line with a prior post, Kurt looks in the Sun Times photo like the kind of cop I would want to show up when I dial 911.

Chicago area resident

June 30, 2013

OFFICER KANER,
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT YOUR SON AND DAUGHTER
ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO KEEP YOUR KILLER BEHIND BARS WHERE HE BELONGS. I WATCH FROM THE SIDELINES AND SEE THE PAIN THEY HAVE TO ENDURE ON ACCOUNT OF THE GARBAGE THAT TOOK YOUR LIFE. MY FAMILY HAS ENDURED THE SAME AND I HAVE WITNESSED FIRST HAND WHAT PAIN AND SUFFERING OVER THE LOSS OF A FATHER CAN DO. KURT AND KIM ARE A TRUE INSPIRATION
AND I KNOW YOU WOULD BE SO VERY PROUD OF THEM. THEY MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU VERY MUCH AND IT SHOWS.
TAKE CARE AND MAY GOD BLESS THE KANER FAMILY. P.S.
IN 012 I CALLED FOR HELP ON A DOMESTIC ONCE, THE WHOLE THING BLEW UP ON MY PARTNER AND ME, IT WAS ABOUT 18 PEOPLE AGAINST MYSELF AND MY PARTNER. KURT AND HIS PARTNER SHOWED UP AND LET ME TELL YOU SIR,
HE IS THE KIND OF COP YOU WANT HELPING YOU OUT. HE MIGHT NOT REMEMBER BUT I WILL NEVER FORGET!

P.O.T KUCHARSKI # 11902
CPD

November 30, 2012

Great

Judge

November 29, 2012

Today the Illinois Prisoner Review Board DENIED parole to the man who shot and killed Officer Kenneth G. Kaner. The vote was 10 against parole and 4 for parole. The matter was put on a three year schedule.

On behalf of the Kaner Family, we would like to thank everyone who wrote a letter, signed a petition or made an appearance requesting that parole be DENIED. Your actions counted, and we THANK YOU all.

Kimberly Kaner Capuani

November 29, 2012

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 42nd anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for the solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. I am sure you are proud that your son has continued your legacy of protecting and serving.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

November 27, 2012

Kenny and I fought together in the Golden Gloves and passed through life like ships in the night, but I never forgot our meetings in the Chicago GG-he fought middle weight and I welterweight. He was tough fighter- I went through chicago academy suburban group and then Gary PD and then federal agncy in Chicago-everytime I went into CPD I looked at his star and said a prayer and hopedhis killers would rot in hell. My thoiughts to his beautuful family

GPD retired LT and DHS
friend

October 29, 2012