[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6741-6742]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, today, people across our country observe 
Peace Officers Memorial Day. As we remember all of the fallen officers 
who have made the ultimate sacrifice while upholding justice and 
protecting our communities, I wish to echo the sentiments of Americans 
across the country in honoring the lives and exemplary service of all 
of the men and women who lost their lives this past year, including two 
North Dakota peace officers, Bismarck police Sgt. Steven Kenner and 
Burleigh County sheriff's department Deputy Sheriff Bryan Sleeper.
  Sgt. Steven Kenner served with the Bismarck police department for 
more than 32 years when he was killed in the line of duty on July 8, 
2011. Sergeant Kenner was a distinguished and well-respected member of 
the Bismarck police department. He also served as a decorated member of 
the North Dakota National Guard military police and founded the 
business C.A.R., Collision Analysis Reconstruction.
  Colleagues, friends and family knew Sergeant Kenner to be a loving, 
hardworking and dedicated man who served his State with great pride. He 
was devoted to mentoring and training his

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fellow officers, and his extensive knowledge and professionalism 
garnered the respect and admiration of his colleagues, who often 
referred to Sergeant Kenner as a gentle giant because his stature 
belied his kind nature and selfless service to others.
  During Sergeant Kenner's distinguished career, he earned several 
awards, including the North Dakota Peace Officers Association 
Lifesaving Award. Sergeant Kenner was also actively involved in his 
community, serving in a variety of capacities, including as a member of 
the Missouri Valley Fraternal Order of Police, the National Trustee for 
North Dakota and the Midwest Association of Traffic Accident 
Investigators. He is survived by his wife, Debbie, and children James, 
Stephen, Kailey, and Tayler.
  Last year, North Dakota also mourned Deputy Sheriff Bryan Sleeper who 
died in the line of duty on September 28, 2011. A lifelong North 
Dakotan, Deputy Sleeper graduated from the University of Mary in 1997, 
and worked at the North Dakota state penitentiary and the Bismarck 
rural fire department before beginning his distinguished career with 
the Burleigh County sheriff's department in 2007.
  Deputy Sleeper was an active member of his community, and his 
involvement--like his job--aimed to improve the well-being of his 
fellow citizens. He earned his EMT certification and taught CPR and 
first aid at St. Alexius Medical Center and the Burleigh County 
sheriff's department. He was also a volunteer firefighter, member of 
the West Dakota SWAT team and the vice president of the Fraternal Order 
of Police Missouri Valley Lodge #3 for Bismarck. At the sheriff's 
department, he organized enforcement events including a blood drive and 
Christmas shopping event for children. Recognitions include the North 
Dakota Peace Officers Association Lifesaving Award.
  Deputy Sleeper was a hardworking, ambitious and energetic man whose 
kind heart and engaging personality quickly endeared him to the people 
he met. An athlete and outdoors enthusiast, Deputy Sleeper was a 
natural leader and committed family man and friend. He is survived by 
his wife Lana, children Branden, Jeremy and Heather; and grandson 
Hunter.
  This past week, North Dakotans added the names of Steven Kenner and 
Bryan Sleeper to the North Dakota Peace Officer Memorial located on the 
east side of the North Dakota State capitol. This memorial now bears 
the names of 61 brave men. These North Dakota peace officers, like the 
other officers from across our country who have been killed in the line 
of duty, have earned our unyielding gratitude for their service and 
heroism. These brave men and women keep our communities safe and 
secure, and it is fitting and right that we should pay tribute to these 
heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
  Mikey and I extend our deepest sympathy to the families of all our 
fallen officers, especially the families of Sergeant Kenner and Deputy 
Sleeper. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them, and we pray that they 
will take comfort in knowing that their loved ones served their State 
and fellow citizens with great honor and pride.

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