S.C. State Guardsman – constable – recognized by “The Greatest Show on Earth”
January 30, 2017
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Robert A. “Bob” Kuenzli, South Carolina State Guard (SCSG), was one of several first-responders recognized by the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, Fri. evening at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C.
The award – presented to Kuenzli and other Midlands-area law enforcement officers, emergency medical services personnel, and firefighters – recognized “tireless service” and “heroism” as demonstrated by first-responders during the Joaquin flood-event rescue-and-recovery efforts in Oct. 2015.
Pictured L-R, Lieutenant Curtis Wilson, Deputy Angel Rodriguez, Sheriff Lott, the circus ringmaster, Chief Kuenzli, Lieutenant Chris Duke, and Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin.
In CW4 Kuenzli’s case, he was struck and partially carried by a vehicle while enforcing traffic control at Harvest Hope Food Bank in Columbia. He survived, but suffered a crushed wrist and other injuries.
“What happened when that vehicle struck Chief Kuenzli is but one of many examples of the inherent dangers faced on a daily basis by our first responders,” said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, who also serves as deputy commander (brig. gen.) of the SCSG. “The risks associated with these dangers are always increased during natural disasters and other such events when tensions among motorists and others are heightened.”
A U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War – where he served as a gunner aboard an AC-47 ‘Spooky’ gunship – Kuenzli is a retired federal investigator with the U.S. Dept. of Labor who today serves as a state constable for South Carolina. With SCSG, he also serves in the provost marshal (law enforcement) detachment.
“Chief Kuenzli exemplifies the kind of selfless service we expect from all S.C. State Guardsmen and all of our law enforcement officers,” said Maj. Gen. Tom Mullikin, commander of the SCSG. “And it’s his example that I’ve personally witnessed others emulate to the greater benefit of the Guard.”
Kuenzli and others were recognized by the circus during an awards dinner and ceremony at the Colonial Life Arena. “Then they gave us tickets to the circus, and that was the best part,” said Kuenzli.
The Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus held shows, Jan. 26-29, in Columbia.
Officials with the circus have announced that “the Greatest Show on Earth” will end – following a near 150 year run – in May 2017. The Jan. 2017 performances were the last for the capital city.
