Roll of Honor
Incident
Court Officer Ron Kienzle and Security Supervisor Joe Zangaro were shot and killed inside the Berrien County Courthouse by an inmate who was attempting to escape at approximately 2:25 pm.
The inmate was being returned to a holding cell following a court appearance when he attacked a sheriff's deputy in the corridor behind the courtroom. Officer Kienzle heard the struggle and ran into the corridor. As soon as he opened the door to the corridor, the prisoner shot him with the deputy's service weapon.
The man escaped into a public hallway where he shot a civilian and exchanged shots with two other court officers, killing Supervisor Zangaro, before being killed by return gunfire.
The inmate was in court for two counts of criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon, and domestic assault.
Officer Kienzle was a U.S. Army veteran. He had served with the Berrien County Sheriff's Department for ten years after having retired from the Benton Township Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his three daughters, three brothers, and four grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-F58C5B69- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Ronald is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Court Officer Kienzle gave the Berrien County Trial Court 30 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Joseph community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ronald Eugene Kienzle served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Court Officer Ronald Eugene Kienzle is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 59.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Berrien County Trial Court, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ronald Eugene Kienzle's cause is highlighted.
How Ronald Eugene Kienzle Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ronald Eugene Kienzle is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ronald Eugene Kienzle was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Ronald Eugene Kienzle served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ronald Eugene Kienzle’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Berrien County Trial Court are honored on badge.nw.
