Cordonnier reflects on career on final day with fire department
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Firefighting for the city of St. Joseph is a family tradition for retiring Fire Chief Kenny Cordonnier.
The Cordonnier firefighting lineage in St. Joseph dates back to 1958 when Kenny's father, Lawrence “Tink” Cordonnier, began his career with the St. Joseph Fire Department.
""Throughout the country, you'll find that fathers, sons, and grandsons all follow in the footsteps of the fire department," said Chief Cordonnier. "That's just the way it is."
After 43 years with the department -- and watching his sons join the firefighting workforce as well -- Cordonnier is throwing in the towel.
“It's just time to go but I will miss this job like no one will understand,” said Cordonnier.
Cordonnier says he’s witnessed things that will stick with him for a lifetime, like traumatizing fires that took a life, or watching a family lose everything they own.
Cordonnier says many memorable moments impacted him during his time serving in St. Joseph. One of those moments was a mass Midtown shooting that took place in 1998.
A gunman fired several rounds that eventually shot through Cordonnier's 1999 Ford truck, leaving bullet marks all around the doors and one bullet barely missing his head.
“He missed me by less than an inch twice," he said. "So, it was close."
The gunman eventually made his way Downtown, letting out shots that eventually took the life of a police officer.
“I was talking to the communications center on the phone and, my biggest regret of that day is not giving them better information, as to what they were pulling up on,” said Cordonnier. “I was shaken up but as I think back on it, if I could have done just a couple things differently. Officer Arn might still be with us.”
Through moments like this, you still find joy in what you do and for Cordonnier, he’ll miss those moments connecting with the community.
“You see the poorest of poor and the richest of rich in their time of need and the need is equal,” Cordonnier said. “It’s a bittersweet feeling for me but I'm kind of going on my terms, my health is good; I’m just going with the wind and doing whatever comes up.”
