On a crisp Friday morning in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, a crowd of people — including numerous Knights of Columbus and their families — gathered at Civic Green Park to witness the unveiling of a newly installed memorial. It stands as a lasting tribute to Kendrick Castillo, the 18-year-old who died protecting his classmates during the 2019 shooting at the STEM School Highlands Ranch.
The 7-foot-tall monument bears images of a U.S. flag, Castillo sitting on his Jeep, a bald eagle, and a cross representing the young man’s faith as the foundation of his heroism, which prevented any of his classmates from losing their lives in the shooting. The emblem of the Knights of Columbus adorns one of the stones at the foot of the memorial and honors Castillo’s self-sacrifice. Unveiled on Nov. 14, the project was made possible through the generosity of community members who fully funded the $30,000 memorial in just a few days.
For the Knights of Columbus, the memorial carries a special significance. Kendrick’s father, John Castillo, is a member of Southwest Denver Council 4844, and Kendrick had planned to join the Knights after graduating high school. He was welcomed posthumously as a Knight of Columbus at the 137th Supreme Convention in 2019. That same year, Castillo’s parents were also presented the Caritas Medal, the second-highest honor of the Order.
“The Castillo family is an important part of the Colorado Knights of Columbus,” said Colorado State Deputy Marc Solome. “They’re an important part of our history. We want to support not just Kendrick, but the entire Castillo family.”
Knights from across Colorado — including Fort Collins, Castle Rock, Colorado Springs and Burlington — made the drive to Highlands Ranch for the Nov. 14 event to support and honor the Castillo family. Fourth Degree Knights presented an honor guard at the unveiling of the memorial. The presence of the Knights was a testament to the community of faith that continues to stand with the family, said Solome.
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. The Diocese of Colorado Springs announced in July 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.
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.”
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.