Court officers Joseph Zangaro, 61, and Ronald Kienzle, 63, died protecting their community on July 11, 2016 and the communities of Berrien County will not forget their sacrifice.

Both men were retired police officers serving the Berrien County Courthouse, Zangaro as head of courthouse security and Kienzle as a bailiff.

On the one-year anniversary of their death Tuesday, hundreds gathered outside the Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph for an officer’s memorial in their honor. Those who attended participated in a memorial walk and candlelight vigil at the Berrien County Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial on a bluff overlooking St. Joseph.

Fraternal Order of Police Blossomland Lodge 100 members Deniece Fisher and Gretta Volkenstein, both of St. Joseph, organized the event.

“We just felt it was very important to honor Joseph and Ron on the one-year anniversary [of their death],” Fisher said, “And not only them, but their families and the family members at the courthouse, because we are all one big family. It is important to recognize not only [Ron and Joseph] but also the first responders from that day.”

The Berrien County Courthouse shooting happened last year when inmate Larry Gordon disarmed an officer on the third floor of Berrien County Courthouse. Gordon, 45, of Coloma, was facing the possibility of life in prison after being charged with criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping. 

Gordon shot three officers and briefly attempted to take hostages, before authorities shot him.

While the community is still grieving their loss, Fisher said she hoped to show that members of the community were there to support them.

Many who attended Tuesday did so to honor Zangaro and Kienzle.

Among them was Berrien County Chief Judge Gary Bruce, who worked with both Zangaro and Kienzle. Bruce said Zangaro and Kienzle were dedicated public servants.

“The deaths of these two were shocking,” Bruce said. “We experienced every emotion imaginable, grief, fear and even anger. Since that day I have thought about July 11 every day and I know you all have as well.”

But Bruce said he did not want to focus on just the tragedy of their deaths. Instead he said he wanted people to remember all they accomplished while they lived and the quirks to their characters that made them truly unique individuals.

Both court officers’ lives revolved around their families, Bruce said.

Zangaro frequently visited Bruce in his office and loved to re-hash funny stories from his time as an officer or something his grandkids did over the weekend.

“We all in the courthouse have a million Joe stories,” Bruce said.

Zangaro was a frequent user of hand sanitizer and had very particular tastes when picking out his new car and lawn mower.

Zangaro and Kienzle had a bit where they attempted to evade one another while working, though the co-workers were often by each other’s sides when needed, Bruce said.

As for Kienzle, the bailiff liked to share stories about his time as a Benton Township police officer.

Kienlze had a humorous streak. The more than 6-foot tall man was known as a gentle giant. Bruce said he once attended an FOP event where Kienzle was spotted dancing with a 5-foot woman, who had to stand on a chair.

It was traits like these, along with the men’s dedication to serving the public, that Bruce said he hoped was remembered most by those in attendance.

In a statement released Tuesday, Gov. Rick Snyder echoed his praise for Zangaro and Kienzle.

“These brave men made the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect the people and community that they served, and for that we will be forever grateful,” Snyder said. “While we may never be able to properly thank Joseph, Ronald and all of the Berrien County Courthouse employees for their service that day, we will continue to keep them all in our thoughts and prayers.”

Both Kienzle and Zangaro have been memorialized at the National Police Memorial in Washington D.C.