“No Greater Love”: Kendrick Castillo Memorial Unveiled in Highlands Ranch

By Barbara O'Neil

PHOTO: Father Gregory Bierbaum, pastor of St. Mark Parish in Highlands Ranch, prays during the unveiling. (Photo by Neil McDonough/Denver Catholic)

As canonization efforts begin, community members gathered to remember Castillo’s unwavering faith and extraordinary sacrifice.

On a crisp Friday morning in Highlands Ranch, a crowd of people gathered at Civic Green Park to witness the unveiling of a newly installed monument honoring Kendrick Castillo. The seven-foot-tall memorial features an American flag wrapped around the column, an image of Kendrick sitting on his Jeep, a bald eagle and a cross, representing Castillo’s faith as the foundation of his heroism.

The memorial stands as a lasting tribute to the 18-year-old who died protecting his classmates during the 2019 shooting at the Highlands Ranch STEM School. Unveiled on November 14, the project was made possible through the generosity of community members who fully funded the $30,000 memorial in just a few days.

But for many Catholics across Colorado, the monument marks more than just memory. It reflects a growing conviction that Castillo’s life, defined by his deep faith and love for his friends, bears the unmistakable marks of heroic virtue. Just months ago, the Diocese of Colorado Springs announced that it had received a petition to open Castillo’s cause for canonization.

Now, standing in a park where Castillo once played as a child, the community gathered once more to pray, honor his family and remember a young man that many regard as an incredible witness of Christ’s love.

A Father’s Hope

For John and Maria Castillo, the morning carried a mixture of grief, pride and gratitude. Yet when asked about what he hopes his son's example inspires in other young Catholics, John did not hesitate.

“I hope that Kendrick will especially touch our young people and bring them deeper into faith and become leaders in faith,” John told Denver Catholic. “I hope he inspires them to get involved in their parishes, in their community, in the archdiocese. Pray the rosary, pray to end abortion and defend the sanctity of life. Those are the things that my wife and I hope people look to Kendrick for. I hope people ask Kendrick to pray for them.”

For the Castillos, the news that the Diocese of Colorado Springs has begun reviewing the petition to open their son's cause for canonization has been overwhelming in the most unexpected way.

“We’re elated. We’re humbled. The mere words that even mention that are more important than anything we’ve experienced in this tragedy,” John said. “We’ve gotten a call from the President of the United States; we’ve met powerful people. But to see that our Catholic brothers and sisters are considering Kendrick is unbelievable. We thank God.”

“There’s no better cause.”

For the Knights of Columbus, the memorial carries a special significance. John Castillo is a member of Knights of Columbus Southwest Denver Council 4844, and Kendrick planned to join the Knights after graduating high school. He was welcomed posthumously as a member of the Order at the 137th Supreme Convention in 2019. Marc Solome, state deputy of the Knights of Columbus Colorado State Council, said the Castillo family has long been woven into the fabric of the order.

“The Castillo family is an important part of the Colorado Knights of Columbus,” he said. “They’re an important part of our history. We want to support not just Kendrick, but the entire Castillo family.”

Salome noted that Knights from across Colorado, including Fort Collins, Castle Rock, Colorado Springs and Burlington, drove to Friday’s event to support and honor the Castillo family. Their presence was a testament to the community of faith that continues to stand with his family.

“Kendrick’s heroism and sacrifice, what John’s doing at the legislative level to protect students and life, there’s no better cause,” he said.

An Enduring Legacy

District Attorney George Brauchler of Colorado’s 23rd Judicial District also spoke at the memorial, offering a perspective shaped by his years of familiarity with the case. He began by acknowledging the complicated reality of gathering for such an occasion marked by both grief and courage.

“In a world less touched by evil, we probably wouldn’t be here,” Brauchler said. “But in a world less touched by good, we also wouldn’t be here. We’d be reflecting on the loss of 27 lives. Make no mistake, that was the goal of evil that day.”

Brauchler noted that Castillo’s instinct that day was not to run but to act, a choice shaped by his faith, family and his moral compass.

“We would be cheating Kendrick and ourselves if we did not acknowledge the role that Jesus played in his life in making that decision that day,” Brauchler said. “In a split second, Kendrick lived out John 15:13, ‘Greater love has no man than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’”

Six years ago, a young man from Highlands Ranch lived those words literally. Now, his community gathered to reflect on the faith that formed him, and the possibility that the teenager who once prayed, served and studied among them might one day be recognized by the Church as a saint.