Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Konen,
On today, the 75th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Kelso. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

March 27, 2023

Thank you all for your kind & gracious words on behalf of my uncle, Francis (Frank) P. Konen. Although I have always closely known about his untimely death & how it happened, and what his widow & son went through then & afterwards, I had not ever seen these particular reflections before. They are a huge blessing & a comfort to me and my family, and I know they especially were & are to Frank’s widow, Evelyn L. Konen (passed in 2004) and to his son, Michael R. Konen, of Medical Lake, WA.

Evelyn & Michael & all of our family were especially grateful to you, Sgt Kevin Tate, of the Kelso Police Department & to all involved when you researched his story and applied on his behalf, for the Washington State Police Officer's Medal of Honor. Uncle Frank was honored & awarded this Medal of Honor posthumously in the 1990’s at a special dinner & ceremony to honor him and other fallen, fellow WA State officers. Evelyn & Michael were in attendance and that honor & award meant so much to them and all our family. For Michael, especially, who was only 1 1/2 years old when his father was killed, Frank receiving this award & being honored so many years later & his story being told was to Michael like getting a gift of a piece of his dad back that he didn’t have before. Thank you all who helped in this!!!

And to all of you who have left reflections, thank you so much! We are truly grateful.

Uncle Frank was a good man, taken too soon, but thank you all that he has not been forgotten. Your kind words bring blessed tears to my eyes that even after so many years, you care & honor him, as well as our family.

Thank you,

Kathleen (Kathy) Konen-Ornelas
Quincy, WA
2/20/21

Kathleen (Kathy) Konen-Ornelas
Niece

February 20, 2021

Rest in peace Patrolman Konen.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 15, 2019

Today, we take time to remember. But we will Never Forget.

Sgt. Kirk Wiper
Kelso Police Department

March 27, 2019

It has been 70 years now. I never had the privilege to meet this young patrolmen but if I could, I would thank him for all he did. My stepfather is an officer for Kelso and is now the school resource officer for Kelso high school. In 2013, he was wounded in a similar incident and that is when I found this memorial. I am lucky my stepfather didn't join this list, but it still reminds me of those who the department has lost.
Patrolman Konen, thank you for all you did to serve this city.

Reise
Stepdaughter of Kelso police department officer Ralph Hines

January 5, 2018

Thank you for the kind words Sgt Price

Michael R Konen
Son

June 25, 2016

Thank you Officer Konen for your service. May your family and friends find peace knowing you will never be forgotten.

Sgt Laura Price
Island County Sheriff

April 12, 2016

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 64th anniversary 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 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.

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

March 27, 2012

Gone, but not forgotten. Rest easy, we have this watch.

2L67
Kelso PD

April 7, 2010

You may be gone but you are never forgotten.RIP.

Anonymous

November 16, 2008

60 years ago today and your memory lives on. God bless those who are choosing to remember your
courageous last hours and to keep your memory
alive. Your killer lives while you don't and I hope he
found God's will for his life and used the rest of
his days in a more productive manner. The pain of
losing you continues but you wore the uniform with
honor and we thank you for that.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

March 27, 2008

No officer who lost his/her life in the line of duty should be forgotten.

Patrolman Konen, on this 60th anniversary of your passing, you are remembered.

Rest in peace, sir.

Family of Patrolman Clifton Miller
Rossford, Ohio, P.D., EOW 14 May, 1966

March 27, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE, THIS WRITER IS ALWAYS DISAPPOINTED THAT JUSTICE WAS NOT SERVED ON YOUR BEHALF

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 26, 2008

I unfortunately never got to meet my uncle Frank as I was born to his older brother Carl in 1952. I did however get to spend time with my cousin Michael, Frank's son at a family reunion in Florida in 1991. In spite of losing his dad at such a young age, he impressed me as being a very caring individual and he also resembles his father immensely.

Sharon Konen
niece

February 6, 2008

I researched Officer Konen's story in 2005 for The Daily News of Longview, WA, and I was deeply moved by his courage. The story can be read on-line. I have rewritten and expanded it for publication in March 2008, the 60th anniversary of his death, in the Cowlitz Historical Quarterly. He is the only officer in Cowlitz County who lost his life in the performance of his duty. He deserves to be honored and remembered.

Leslie Slape
reporter, The Daily News

December 2, 2007

God bless you, Sir. It's a shame that someone so evil and cruel was ever given the chance to see light of day again. May peace be with your family always.

HPD Wife
Houston Police Dept

March 24, 2007

You died a month after I was born so that was a long time ago!! You are
still remembered as you served with honor and courage. I'm glad you finally got the recognition you deserved. Although your murderer
was released, it doesn't sound like
he is free, but rather a tormented soul. Sorry your life was cut short too
soon. You had so much to give to the citizens of Washington, your dept.
and especially your family. Thank
you for your ultimate sacrifice.

Lynn Kole
Bellingham, Washington

May 22, 2004

God bless you, brother. Just as your family still pays thanks, as do the people, so do I. A hero never dies. You live through those who continue to serve. Thank you for your service.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)

August 31, 2003

Officer Konen was a fantastic example of a professional police officer. I had the opportunity to research the facts surrounding his murder and to apply for the Washington State Police Officer's Medal of Honor. Officer Konen's grown son (who was 1 1/2 years old at the time of his murder), his widow and his brother were able to attend the ceremony when Governor Gary Locke awarded the medal (posthumously).

Officer Konen was a true "community policeman" who didn't walk away just because he couldn't do something immediately to solve a problem. Instead he remained in the area of trouble and, when it raised its head, he addressed it. On the night of his death - unfortunately - his backup officers were too far away and during a struggle with a drunken domestic violence suspect he had his gun taken away and he was shot with it.

Although mortally wounded, Officer Konen continued to fight with the suspect and held him until backup officers could arrive. Officer Konen died a short time later.

The suspect received a life sentence, but only served a short time due to "mental issues" and a lenient parole system in Washington State. As of the late 1990's, the convicted cop killer was living free.

Rest in Peace & God Bless You Officer Konen and know that you continue to receive the respect and praise of your fellow Kelso Police Officers!

Sgt Kevin Tate
Kelso Police Department

I am honored to be the great nephew of Officer Konen. Even though I did not have the opportunity to meet him, I am sure he was an honorable man based on an account of his life and career. Rest in peace, its this family members turn to take the watch.

Trooper Matt Karlson
Minnesota State Patrol

I was absolutely sickened when I read the account of Patrolman's Konen cold-blooded murder. What a coward to senselessly take the life of our dear BROTHER. Rest in Peace sir!

Recruit Don Reichhardt
60th basic Police Academy
Crater Criminal justice Academy

Officer Don reichhardt
Virginia State University Police Department