404 remembered with tears, laughter
On
Wednesday, July 31, a memorial service was held
at Real Life Church in Post Falls to honor
former Bonners Ferry resident Kevin Bennett, who
lost his battle with cancer July 23, 2013. Kevin
was a Sergeant with the Idaho State Police,
based out of Coeur d'Alene.Bennett, call sign 404, served as Boundary County's resident agent for ten years before being promoted to sergeant. He lost his battle to cancer July 23.
Outside the entrance to Real Life Church that day over fifty uniformed police officers lined the walk, standing at parade rest. On hand as well were several Patriot Guard members, who added even more color and pomp to the event.
As Kevin's wife and family entered the building, the officers were called to attention and a hand salute was rendered to the family.
It is estimated over 500 people attended the service, including law enforcement officers from every agency in North Idaho. The crowd included a vast cross section of folks from every walk of life, a testimony to the many lives Kevin touched in his brief 35 years on this earth.
The colors were posted by officers of the Idaho State Police, accompanied by a drummer and a bag piper. Pastor Bill Krause of Real Life Church opened the Service and the crowd joined in singing the hymn "10,000 Reasons.''
It quickly became evident as the service progressed that this was not a funeral, but a celebration of a life dedicated to our Lord God.
The chorus "If you want to be great in God's kingdom, learn to be a servant of all,'' summed up Kevin's life, which was one of total service to God and his fellow man.
Scripture was read by Pastor Kyle Yake, and ISP Colonel Ralph Powell spoke about Kevin.
"Snapshots of Kevin," "Reflections on Kevin," and "Lessons from Kevin" included pictures, tributes and humorous stories read by Colonel Powell and Kevin's pastors, Craig Wikoff and Chad Wilks of Sandpoint Church of the Nazarene.
Smiles, laughs and outright guffaws were followed by tears as Kevin's life and times were remembered.
The stories reminded all of Kevin's motto in life, "Go big or go home!" and of his fondness for food.
But the overriding theme of all was Kevin's love of God and his willingness to share Christ with anyone at any time.
The ISP Ceremony and Flag Presentation was one of the most moving and lovingly conducted presentations ever performed. Our nation's flag was carefully unfolded and presented to the audience. It was then refolded and handed to Colonel Powell, who then knelt in front of Kevin's wife, JoLynn, who was holding Kevin's son.
After a brief conversation with the boy, Colonel Powell presented the young man the flag, followed by a very precise hand salute.
Finding a dry eye at that moment among those present would have been very difficult.
As the service came to an end, the crowd stood and sang Kevin's favorite hymn, "Victory in Jesus.''
"Sing it," the crowd was told, "as Kevin would have, as loud and boisterously as possible."
Following the Service all in attendance were invited to stay for refreshments of coffee and Oreo Double Stuff Cookies, one of Kevin's favorites. Over 2,000 Oreos were served in his honor.
The following, "In His Own Words,'' was printed on the back page of the day's program, an email Kevin sent to a close friend on Sunday, October 28, 2012. It portrays the faith this man had in his Lord.
"There is a real possibility that I will not survive all this, medically speaking ... I love my family. So very much. It saddens me on a human level but as a follower of Christ I will accept His will for my life. Please don't interpret this as defeatist. It is not. It's just reality. I will follow the doctors' orders and go through this procedure and pray for healing. I am learning to lean and not lead. This is very hard for me. God is perfecting me by helping me to shed idols in my life and focus on him exclusively. A close look at death has that effect I imagine! But what a glorious hope we have in Jesus! I also do not want people to get mad at God. So many people have expressed that emotion to me. It's the wrong emotion to have! God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are so much higher. He will restore marrow to my bones and my hope is in Him. Fear is my enemy now and I am not giving in. God has this one."
Kevin's wife invites anyone who would like, to share memories of Kevin at www.coffeltfuneral.com so that she can share them with the Bennett children KelliJo, Blaine and Koen as they grow.