Senator LaSata’s Bill To Honor Fallen Courthouse Officers Moves Through Committee

lasatamemorialbill
lasatamemorialbill

Legislation which would make a change to allow the names of Berrien County Courthouse Security Supervisor Joseph Zangaro and Court Officer Ron Kienzle to be added to the Michigan Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Monument is moving through the state Senate. The bill is sponsored by Senator Kim LaSata and would put the standard for the Michigan monument in line with that of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to include court and corrections officers killed in the line of duty. Zangaro and Kienzle were killed on July 11, 2016 by an inmate trying to escape following a hearing in the courtroom of Judge Charlie LaSata, the husband of the senator.

Both of their names are on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC. The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee approved the bill on Thursday, sending it to the full Senate for consideration. Along with Zangaro and Kienzle, Senator LaSata says there are 19 other names that would be added if her bill is enacted.