BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- With the shooting deaths of two Berrien County bailiffs still fresh in the hears of the community, two vigils were held Tuesday night to honor the fallen.
Bailiffs Ron Kienzle and Joe Zangaro were killed after an inmate tried to escape custody. Friends and neighbors gathered at Kienzle's home to pay their respects by lighting candles and writing on his driveway with chalk.
"I wanted to be a part of this tonight," said Denise Thomas, one of Kienzle's friends and neighbors. "I'm still dealing with the fact that he's not here."
Kienzle was only a year away from retiring. Friends say Ron was going to spend his time after retirement with his family and grandchildren.
Another vigil was held later in the evening at the Maids of the Mist Fountain in St. Joseph, with more than 200 people offering their support.
St. Joseph resident Rich Osgood attended the fountain vigil, and was worried when he heard the news of Monday's shooting because his wife is in law enforcement.
"She could have been up there," Osgood said. "It could have been a lot worse and I'm sad for the families that this has happened to."
