BERRIEN COUNTY YEAR END COURT REVIEW

It wasn’t the best of years for the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department after July’s courthouse shooting that left two bailiffs dead and a deputy wounded in an incident that drew national attention, but county officials ended the year knowing that they had the support and prayers of many area residents.
Veteran court bailiffs Joseph Zangaro, 61, and Ronald Kienzle, 63, were the men killed July 11 by Coloma resident Larry Gordon, 45. Gordon, who was in custody on several felony charges, first shot and injured Berrien County Sheriff’s Deputy James Atterberry, Jr., 41, an 18 year veteran of the department, before killing the bailiffs.
The incident caused county officials to take a new look at courthouse security which was evidenced in early August when Berrien County Commissioners voted to hire two more deputies to escort prisoners in the courthouse. Manpower concerns had been raised since Atterberry was alone when he escorted Gordon from the courtroom.
Other security issues raised and ultimately acted on included purchasing new safety equipment for officers as well as more shackles and handcuffs for inmates as they are transported to and from the jail.
In addition to funding designated by the county board, community members came together during the summer and fall to raise money for the sheriff’s department. County officials were joined by representatives of the Berrien Community Foundation in late November to announce the community donations.
Foundation President Lisa Cripps-Downey reported that the foundation was able to raise over $52,000 to purchase needed safety equipment for officers.
Cripps-Downey said the fundraising effort began as a response to the July 11 shootings at the Berrien County Courthouse that ended in the deaths of two Berrien County Court Security Officers and left one Deputy wounded. “The community was stunned and wanting to do something – anything – to make it better,” she said.
She and others from the foundation met with Sheriff Paul Bailey to determine department needs that could help prevent something similar in the future. They then decided to issue a $5,000 challenge grant to the community to help fund the purchase of plate carrier bullet proof vests, Level III security holsters and weapon mounted flashlights.
“This community is so generous,” Cripps-Downey said. “People gave in so many ways. The gifts ranged from $5 to $6,000. People sent in not just checks, but letters of condolence to the Sheriff’s Office and thank you notes for what they do for Berrien County.”
Fundraising events included a community run hosted by the SWMI Racers that raised over $6,000 for the cause. Restaurants hosted give back nights and high school students from the Interact Clubs at St. Joseph and Lake Michigan Catholic sold ice cream bars to raise dollars.
The Upton Foundation made a $5,000 grant to the effort. Corporations kicked in as well. LECO Corporation, Whirlpool Corporation and Michiana Land Services each made significant donations of $5,000 or more, she added.
“We are just overwhelmed with the generosity,” Bailey said. “We lost two great men who were also our close friends when we lost Court Security Officers Joe Zangaro and Ron Kienzle. We want to protect our officers and do what we can to make sure a tragedy like this never happens again.”
It wasn’t only area residents remembering the two bailiffs this year. They were among the law enforcement officers honored at a Dec. 15 Detroit Red Wings hockey game in Detroit. The event was sponsored by the Red Wings in conjunction with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund to honor those who had died in the line of duty.
This was the sixth consecutive year for the Red Wings to hold the event and honor Michigan law enforcement officers. The event also served to raise awareness and funding for the National Law Enforcement Museum under construction in Washington, D.C.