Community remembers 'Chief Khaliff'

PINE PLAINS — The area is still reeling from the loss of 5-year-old Khaliff Taylor Hankerson, who on April 6 was reportedly killed by his father, who then took his own life at his Ancramdale home.

But community members have risen to the occasion to remember the short life that Khaliff lived and to assist his mother in a time of great need.

Khaliff was a stalwart at the Pine Plains Hose Company firehouse, where he earned the nickname “Chief Khaliff� from his banter with Fire Chief Rob Mizgier about who was in charge.

An extensive funeral procession accompanied services on Saturday, involving fire departments from Pine Plains, Millerton, Ancram, Rhinebeck and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office. Khaliff’s mother, Veronica Brenner, is a first lieutenant with the Pine Plains rescue squad.

“K9 units were here with dogs standing guard at the church when [Khaliff] was brought in,� said Pine Plains fire company member Ibis Guzman. “It was beautiful.�

Guzman described Khaliff as “the most outgoing kid in the world,� a fan of NASCAR racing, wrestling and the fire department.

Children are usually scared when the fire department gets a call and the trucks’ lights and sirens start up, Guzman said, but not Khaliff.

“His eyes would light up, and you’d see that twinkle,� he said. “He really enjoyed the apparatuses and he loved the parades. He wanted to grow up and be a firefighter.�

The “fire guys� and “fire girls,� as Khaliff referred to the members of the Pine Plains Hose Company, convened the evening of April 7 to set up two memorial funds in memory of Khaliff and to assist Ronnie, as Veronica Brenner is called by many.

Donations can be sent to two places. First, in memory of Khaliff, donations can be sent to the Pine Plains Hose Company, PO Box 668, Pine Plains, NY 12567 to purchase a six-wheel all-terrain vehicle for the department. Second, a fund has been set up at the Stissing National Bank to assist Brenner with immediate bills, funeral costs and “whatever the family needs,� according to Guzman, who also works at the bank.

“Ronnie has helped so many people in so many ways,� Guzman said. “Whether it’s working at Sharon Hospital or at the doctor’s office, we’ve all gone in and said, ‘Ronnie, I’m hurt.’ Ronnie helps you, and I think now we’re wearing that shoe.�

Guzman added that there is an idea to eventually set up a memorial scholarship in Khaliff’s name. Funds can be sent to the Ronnie Brenner Fund, Stissing National Bank, PO Box 651, Pine Plains, NY 12567.

“Khaliff was a joker and a kidder, but at the same time he was a serious little dude,� Guzman remembered. “He would make everybody stop what they were doing and he’d always keep us on our toes. It was like he was the firehouse’s child.�