Teams Compete in Steve Kenner Memorial Baseball Tournament - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Teams Compete in Steve Kenner Memorial Baseball Tournament

It's been almost one year since Bismarck police officer Sgt. Steve Kenner was shot and killed in the line of duty.

This weekend, one of his best friends honors Kenner through a memorial baseball game.

Rick Richard is a state trooper in McLean County and had a professional connection with Sgt. Kenner for 27 years.

He says Steve was also one of his dearest friends.

Richard says Kenner was dedicated to his family, friends and community and epitomized what the American Legion stands for.

That's why Richard wanted to honor him through a memorial baseball tournament.

 "Even though Steve has passed, his memory does not need to pass, so the principles he stood for that made him the great man that he was, through this tournament we will be able to continue that memory and proud positive attitude and principles he stood for." says Trooper Rick Richard.

All proceeds from the tournament will go to the Kenner family who attended Sunday's ball game.

This is the first time the Washburn Legion has sponsored a memorial tournament like this, but the overwhelming response ensures it will continue every year.

 "I said let's do it right away, this is a baseball town, plus with my legion commander guy, officer himself, state patrolman, he brought this idea up I says, let's take it and run and see what we can do, get teams here, we had no problem getting teams, actually we had to turn a couple teams away." says Kip Erickson/Head Legion Coach.