Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you Patrolman Kaner for your dedicated, faithful service. May your killer continue his 125 years of service for his actions that he made a conscious decision to carry out in our society. What a great Officer you must have been. There is no doubt that you will be supported each and every parole hearing in the future. May the messages on this site be of help each and every time. R.I.P.

Lieutenant
Dept. of Defense, Retired

March 26, 2008

Your father and my uncle were murdered within a month of each other in Chicago in 1970. It took more than 35 years until we met. We now talk and plan parole hearings, we help each other out and learn from each other. We both suffer different pain, you losing your father and me losing my dear uncle. Kurt, I value you as a friend. Glad the parole hearing went your way in 2007. Please plan on the support of the Severin Family for 2008 parole hearing. Jeanne

Jeanne Severin
Fellow CPD Gold Star Member

February 26, 2008

It is men like you Officer Kaner that make this nation great. Your selfless nature that puts the welfare of people like myself and my family above yours. I am so sorry for your children that grew up without you. May the killer that stole your life never be allowed to menace the good people of Illinois, may your family know that many citizens like myself appreciate you GOD be with your family may you be reunited one day. RIP Officer Kaner I know your colleagues have the watch.

Always thankful
Citizen

Thankful Citizen

January 20, 2008

Kurt and Kimberly, My heart ached for you as a mother's would as I imagined the stress you experienced at addressing the protest for your father's murderer. I have been in your shoes preparing EACH year to be a voice for our loved one at the Illinois Parole Board hearings. Each year we feel as though we have less rights supporting us, while the inmates gain more. The support of citizens in our community give us strength. My daughters father and yours gave so much of themselves to our community and we all suffer from the contributions they still HAD LEFT to give for the love of their job and communities. Your parents can be extremely proud as I know I am for both of you and all your efforts. I am grateful we were able to connect. God Bless you with all my heart.

Terry "Mayborne" Rudeen
Officer down-Sheriff M.Mayborne-Winnebago County.Il.1974

January 9, 2008

My thoughts are with all of your loved ones as Christmas fast approaches. I know even after all these years that during this upcoming special day, you will be thought of even more than most days. Your loved ones will remember the wonderful past Christmas' with memories that will last forever. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones. Ihave the outside of my home decorated in all blue lights, one is lit every night in your honor to let you know that you have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

December 18, 2007

I met both of your children this year. I think you'd be very proud of them both. They took on the task of keeping your killer behind bars and - at least for another year, they accomplished what they set out to. The Illinois Prisoner Review Board denied parole. The vote was 9 -against parole, 3 - for parole.
It is certainly something to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.
Please continue to watch over us all.

Diane

November 20, 2007

I just heard that parole has been denied for the individual that caused so much pain for so many years and each year when he is up for parole the pain escalates with the fear of this individual possibly getting out of prison. I will be here again next year to write another letter and the year after that and the year after that. Officer Kaner, continue to watch over your loved ones and those officers still out on patrol in the City. You are a true hero.

Bob Gordon
Father of CPD Officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

November 19, 2007

The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 17, 2007

my letter is done and off in the mail. it was a productive use of 30 minutes. the word needs to get out for others to do so too. this website keeps the memory of the dead alive. the message to the board is simple-if we are going to reduce violence in our communities, violent criminals need to remain in prison. one for CPD officer terry loftus is next. unfortunately, in today's world it appears even murdered police officers need an advocacy group to make sure their killers remain in prison.

concerned citizen

August 29, 2007

To all who visit this website, Thank-you. As my brother had stated below, this subject is very hard for me to talk about. It turns me into that 7 year old girl who has just lost her father. Words will never truly express the loss we all feel for a man we loved so much.

I feel that I now need to speak out because the man who pulled the fatal trigger in this incident is up for his annual Parole Hearing. Every year we send a letter to the Parole Board requesting that parole be denied, but we recently learned that 4 Board Members voted yes for parole. Only 8 votes are needed for a prisoner to get out! Last year Chicago Police Officer John Tucker's killer was released on parole, and he was sentenced to life!

Please help us by writing a letter to the Illinois Parole Board requesting denial of parole. Letters should be addressed to:

ILLINOIS PRISONER REVIEW BOARD
319 E. Madison Street, Suite A
Springfield, IL 62701

The caption at the top should read:

Re: C15289
Ind. No: 70-1928
Crime: Murder of Chicago Police Officer Kenneth
G. Kaner (30-125yrs)
Sent. Date: 1-19-71

On behalf of my family, I would like to thank you in advance for anything you could do with regard to this matter. Again, thank you and God Bless you.

Kimberly - Daughter of Officer Kenneth G. Kaner

Kimberly
DAUGHTER OF OFFICER KENNETH G. KANER

August 26, 2007

Thirty seven years may have passed but you have not been forgotten nor will that ever happen. Your name now appears with honor on the new CPD Memorial located on the Lake Front. It is displayed with dignity and honor that you deserve for your dedication and sacrifice to the City of Chicago. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

June 18, 2007

Thinking of your family on this 37 year anniversary. Ours is next month....we are forever family.

Jeanne Severin
Niece of Sgt. Jim Severin CPD, murdered 7/17/70

June 18, 2007

As next week approaches we wanted to stop by, think for a few moments back to those days for perspective, the extreme sacrifices that were frequently made by too few and say "hi" to a smiling face in a happier time. RIP-you are not forgotten.

citizen

June 16, 2007

Dear Kurt,
I just wanted to say thank you for leaving a reflection on John's page. Your Dad was a hero. My father was also a policeman, and he has told us stories of what it was like to be a policeman back in the late 60's and early 70's. He said it was very scary time for police. Your mom is a hero to, raising two small children on her own and getting laws passed. Please tell her that a CPD widow said thank you for all that she did. Take care of yourself and be careful.

Sincerely,
Laura Mathews

Laura Mathews
Widow of Officer John W. Mathews

June 12, 2007

It has been 36 years since I last seen you. I was only five years old and did'nt want you too go to work that night. I recall asking you to call in sick, but you said you could not and you went off for the last time, to work the mid-night shift. A couple hours later I was awoken by the door bell and the lights that were turned on by your loving wife. She knew by looking out the window and seeing the police Chaplin and several officers of your fate. She screamed and cried,'OH NO, NOT MY KEN'. It was'nt long before a detective sat at the end of my bed to tell me that I would never see you again. Ever time I think of you I'm still that little five year old boy. You seemed like a giant to me. I felt like you were superman, no one could hurt you. I guess that's normal for a son too see his father as bigger then life. Someday we will all be together. I appreciate that you have watched over all of us. I know you have especially watched over me considering all the knuckle head things I have done. I LOVE YOU and miss you. I know Kim misses you more then anything. She was daddys little girl and that was robbed from her. As you know It's been very hard for her. She still can't talk about it.

Kurt G. Kaner
SON

December 17, 2006

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

November 12, 2006

we often remember your sacrifice and that of your family on this day. we noticed a trib article some time ago that showed a picture of your son in uniform and are certain you would be proud of him. those of us who know the story are and grateful that there are men and women willing to take the oath, put the uniform on and face the danger. it was really clear and present for the CPD in the late 60's and early 70's as this web site demonstrates.

a citizen who will never forget

June 19, 2006

Rest in Peace Sir.

June 19, 2006

I am still have shock and sorrow in my heart as I did as a 19 year old listening to the 10:00 news and hearing and seeing the video footage as the news covered your death on that hot summer night. The Sox game, maybe you had it on in your car too meant nothing. A year later I was in a class with an officer who quit the CPD shortly before or after your death and took a job in a suburban PD. He said you were his TO and you were a great guy. I wondered then as I do now why you would even care about ANYONE in that neighborhood? Perhaps someone will be able to make sense of what happened for me. Being a year or so from 50, I still cannot find the answer that mutes the my sorrow.