Court Officer Ronald Eugene Kienzle

Ronald Eugene Kienzle

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. He is survived by his three daughters, three brothers, and four grandchildren.