Kanuani Valencia-Feliciano (Kani) and Lionel Morningstar (Leo) are officers at the Aberdeen Police Department. They are married. They are also from two different countries. Here’s their story.
A Childhood in Contrasts
Kani was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where her childhood was filled with family, fun, and a safe neighborhood. She played outside until the streetlights came on and enjoyed the close-knit community. At 15, however, she moved to Huron, South Dakota, when her mother relocated to help a cousin. The transition was difficult — leaving behind her friends and everything she knew. At first, she resisted the move, but after taking three months of ESL classes to accelerate her English, she settled into high school life.
Leo’s early years were vastly different. Born in Burma, he spent ages eight to 13 in a refugee camp before his family was resettled in Denver. After a year there, they moved to Huron to be near friends.
A Real Life “Enemies to Lovers” Trope
The two first met in high school English class — Kani, a sophomore, and Leo, a freshman. Their first interactions were anything but love at first sight. Kani found Leo annoying because he constantly joked around. Leo, in turn, teased her, calling her “four eyes” in Spanish after learning the phrase just for that purpose. Their playful bickering lasted a couple of years, until a pivotal school trip to Aberdeen changed everything.
During a visit to Northern State University, Leo worked up the courage to confess his feelings and ask Kani out. She initially responded with a “maybe,” which soon turned into a “yes.” Years later, she admitted she had secretly liked him all along.
Building a Life Together
After high school, Kani took a gap year, working at Walmart while Leo graduated. They both completed two years of general studies at Northern’s Huron remote campus before transferring to the Aberdeen campus to pursue degrees in Management Information Systems and Computer Science.
Two months before graduation, a career fair at NSU introduced them to the Aberdeen Police Department. Kani had always admired law enforcement, having attended summer camps in Puerto Rico where police officers taught about laws and civic responsibility. Leo had long considered a career in service, whether in the military or police force. While Kani initially applied, she pulled out to focus on work and post-college life. But fate had other plans—one day, she ran into Sergeant Majeske at work, who challenged her to complete the application. After discussing it with Leo, they both decided to apply together. They were accepted, sworn in, and embarked on their journey as police officers.
Serving the Community in Different Ways
After a year of training and academy in Pierre, they returned to Aberdeen to start their careers. Kani, working the day shift, enjoys engaging with the community, assisting with the DARE program, and bridging the gap between law enforcement and the Hispanic community. Initially, she worried how the Hispanic community would perceive her role in law enforcement, but she has proven herself as a resource and advocate.
Leo works the night shift, where his calm demeanor is a crucial asset in de-escalating situations. His presence has been particularly valuable in the Karen community, where trust in law enforcement was minimal due to past experiences in refugee camps. He works diligently to build that trust and helps translate, especially given the limited availability of resources in the Karen language.
Life in Aberdeen
Despite working opposite shifts, Kani and Leo enjoy their shared days off. They purchased a home in the summer of 2024 and spend time working on it together. They also enjoy date nights at the movies or dining out at places that reflect their multicultural backgrounds — McDonald’s and Thai & Burmese Deli in Uptown Aberdeen.
Looking ahead, Kani hopes to advance within the police ranks or potentially work in cybercrimes at the FBI, bringing her back to her degree roots. Leo, on the other hand, embraces a day-by-day approach, a perspective shaped by his years in a refugee camp. One dream he holds dear is the opportunity to visit Burma again someday.
Reflections on Aberdeen
Kani: “Since my first visit to Aberdeen, I’ve been consistently impressed by its unique qualities. I’ve witnessed firsthand how the community comes together in times of need. As a member of the APD, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the importance of creating a welcoming environment. Aberdeen has been incredibly supportive and inclusive towards me and my cultural background. Please continue to be the welcoming people you are!”
Leo: “The reason I decided to attend NSU and later stayed in Aberdeen was because of its welcoming and diverse community. It is also the reason I decided to work at APD. Aberdeen is a welcoming and would come to aid each other when help is needed. I’ve got to experience this firsthand working in law enforcement. Its citizens play a major role in safety and community policing. I would like to thank the Aberdeen people for being very welcoming and keeping the sense of community.”
From different corners of the world to a shared home in Aberdeen, Kani and Leo’s journey is one of resilience, service, and love. Their story is a testament to the strength of diverse backgrounds coming together to create a stronger community.
View more articles about:
Back- Share
