“He was always smiling and laughing, no matter what the situation was and somehow always got you to smile with him.” – Becca Bocek, cousin of UWM’s Bradley Schultz

Candles lit up the night as friends and family huddled in a circle before an evening filled with memories of Bradley Schultz, a criminal justice major at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Schultz was one of the six killed by Tyler Peterson’s shooting rampage after going home to Crandon for homecoming weekend.

The Crandon tragedy became real for UWM students as they came together during the vigil to remember a classmate and friend.

Around 80 friends and family gathered on Tuesday, Oct. 16, for a candlelight vigil, under Golda Meir Library, to honor the 20-year-old's life.

James Hill, dean of students, began the ceremony by sharing how Schultz was known as a likable guy with a great sense of humor, and who came to UWM to pursue his dream of an eventual career in criminal justice.

He shared how we have all been touched by his untimely death and that “this is not the end of Bradley’s journey.”

Bradley’s advisor, Dan Patnode, director of student support services, also spoke. Patnode shared a common bond with Schultz, the Crandon community: Patnode's father graduated from Crandon's high school.

The bond Patnode shared with Schultz was evident as he talked about how their meetings about classes quickly turned into stories of his latest hunting excursion or off-road racing experience. Through their time spent together, Patnode described Schultz as “the kind of guy that when you met him for the first time, five minutes afterwards, you know you had a friend, a good friend at that.”

Another experience Patnode shared with the crowd was his trip to Crandon this past weekend for the visitation and funeral, where he had a chance to get to know Schultz’s family. Patnode was overwhelmed by the experience.

“The family is so tight, so close, and so loving,” said Patnode.

This closeness was evident as Bradley’s family laid arms around each other and listened to the memories of a young man so full of love and life.

Bradley’s cousin and fellow UWM Panther Becca Bocek moved the crowd while sharing memories of her cousin.

“He was always smiling and laughing not matter what the situation was and somehow always got you to smile with him,” said Becca Bocek.

After Becca closed the vigil with her heartfelt words, friends and family stuck around sharing more fond memories with one another. One of Bradley’s close friends, Melissa Penasa shared how he was “very bubbly with an amazing smile and personality to go along with it.”

Tory Bocek, another cousin of Schultz, added that he was an “all-around good person to everyone he met.”

Four students from Bradley’s creative writing class last year were holding a large sign that stretched out saying, “Creative Writing Fall 2006 misses Bradley.”

Kathy Vang, one of the students from his creative writing class, described how she will remember him.

“Every time in class he was smiling and always talking about hunting,” said Vang.

While many shared memories of Schultz, it was obvious how much he will be missed.

“I can’t talk without breaking down,” said Bradley’s brother, Cody Schultz.

It was a night that family and friends reminisced about Bradley’s love for hunting and off-road racing. Most of all, it was a night that the life of Bradley Schultz, a young man who was known for his personality that matched his contagious smile, was honored. As people shared their stories that night many also signed a card where they were able to say goodbye or share a memory.

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