Family of Officer Corder feels support at fundraiser

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- On Wednesday, July 23, more than 100 people gathered at Third Street Market Hall for a fundraising event in honor of fallen Milwaukee Police Officer Kendall Corder - 100% of the event proceeds will go to the Milwaukee Police Association's Fallen Heroes Fund. 

The word we heard repeatedly was "bittersweet." Officer Corder's family -both blood and beyond- is still grieving the loss of the officer and the man. But they say the overwhelming community support is making a significant difference.

Nilsa Arce is Kendall Corder's best friend. She said, "It's beautiful. I'm not going to cry though."

Arce held back tears Wednesday, instead focusing on the smiles, hugs, and happy memories.

She told us, "We feel the love, we feel the support. And we're just trying to push through every single day."

Wednesday's fundraiser gave Corder's family and friends another opportunity to feel the love and admiration.

A $100 donation got people in the door. Brewers, Bucks, and Packers tickets were among the auction items.

Organizer Omar Shaikh said the community was eager to show its support. “Quite frankly, this is probably one of the first ones where people were reaching out, saying, ‘Please do an event, please do an event.'”

There was also a lot of love for Corder's partner, Christopher McCray, who continues his recovery.

Corder's presence was everywhere: his police portraits were prominently shown, his hat was on display, his father wore his badge around his neck.

Plenty of officers -in uniform and out- also attended to both support and be supported.

Milwaukee Police Association president Alexander Ayala said, "We're taking it one day at a time. We're healing. Everybody heals differently."

Chief Jeffrey Norman and others acknowledged it's not always easy. "There's a long road for us. Please continue to pray for us. Please continue to support us."

But he again said the department is trying to provide officers with what they need. "And maybe there might be a tear or two that will be shed, there's going to be hug or two that's going to be a little bit longer. But that's needed right now."

For Nilsa and the Corder family, the support is felt far beyond the money raised. "I don't think 'thank you' is enough to really show how appreciative and how grateful we are," she said.

There's just one thing missing, though they remember him with a smile. Arce said, "I wish he was here to see it and feel it. Because we feel it anywhere we go, we feel that love, we feel that support."

Kendall Corder's father, Raymond Corder, told us off camera he is blown away by the community's support, and so grateful for it.

You contribute to the MPA's Fallen Heroes Fund here.