Neighbors remember Berrien County court officers

Both the bailiffs who were killed in Monday’s shooting were well loved and supported.

Ron Kienzle’s neighbors set up a makeshift memorial for him at his home Tuesday.

For them, Kienzle was more than the guy next door.

“He was my best friend,” neighbor Ed Swenka said.

Neighbor Jenna Dolezan agrees.

“He was just an awesome person for our neighborhood,” Dolezan said.

The neighbors left candles, balloons and chalk messages all over Kienzle’s doorstep.

“I’m going to miss him being my neighbor. Me and him, we were just real tight,” Swenka said.

In Stevensville, Joe Zangaro’s home also had flowers outside.

His family, too heartbroken to interview, gathered at his house.

“It’s really a sad, sad situation today,” Swenka said.

Swenka and other neighbors are planning a memorial ceremony for their friend Tuesday night.

They say Kienzle still had dreams after many years in law enforcement.

“He was looking forward to retiring and spending more time with his daughter,” neighbor Denise Thomas said.