Platte County Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker began Monday’s County Commission meeting by acknowledging Zahnd’s death. Fricker became emotional and his voice broke as he read from a prepared statement.
“I’d like to take a couple of minutes to acknowledge the passing of Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd. Eric was known throughout Platte County and beyond as a tough-on-crime prosecutor and a staunch advocate of victims’ rights. He served this county honorably for over two decades and he will be missed by many.
“I pray that his wife, Tracy, and their two sons, Benjamin and Luke, will somehow find peace of mind in the midst of this great tragedy. Please join me in a moment of silence.”
While Fricker reflected on Zahnd’s service to the county, state leaders emphasized the influence his work had across Missouri.
Gov. Mike Kehoe said Zahnd’s influence extended beyond Platte County.
“Eric will be remembered for his strong leadership and dedication to public safety and the rule of law, having established best practices used by prosecutors across the state,” Kehoe said.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway also praised Zahnd’s dedication to the county, public safety and the rule of law while remembering the character behind his public service.
“Eric was a true patriot, a person of remarkable character and integrity and a public servant who cared deeply about his community,” Hanaway said.
That sense of statewide mourning was echoed by the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.
“It is difficult to put the magnitude of this loss into words,” the association said in a statement. “His absence will be deeply felt throughout the prosecutor, law enforcement and broader public safety communities and by the many people whose lives he touched.”
Closer to home, colleagues recalled seeing Zahnd’s commitment to crime victims and their families firsthand.
Platte County Auditor Kevin Robinson recalled that Zahnd invited him and others to an annual breakfast that began in 2006 as part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Robinson said it was at that event that he first learned of Zahnd’s passion for protecting crime victims’ rights and supporting their families. After working alongside Zahnd for 16 years, Robinson said he remained grateful for his dedication to Platte County and its residents.
Reflecting on their years as colleagues, Robinson said:
“Eric dedicated his career to serving victims and families who had been impacted by crime and needed someone to stand beside them. His commitment to victims’ rights, his compassion for families and his determination to see justice done left a lasting impact on our community. I will always be grateful for the dedication he gave to Platte County and the people he served.”
Others remembered Zahnd not only for his public service, but also for the personal relationships he formed during his decades in Platte County.
Tammy Thompson, chairwoman of the Platte County Republican Central Committee, said she and Zahnd had been friends for more than 30 years. She remembered that he always supported Republican candidates and took an interest in their campaigns.
Their youngest children were classmates at Park Hill and Thompson said their conversations at political events inevitably turned from politics to their families. She also recalled looking forward to the Zahnd family’s annual Christmas card, which included a new family photograph and their favorite picks for music, movies, restaurants and travel destinations.
Thompson said Zahnd’s legacy as the county’s longest-serving prosecutor gave Platte County a clear reputation:
“Don’t commit a crime in Platte County or you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Other county officeholders also pointed to the lasting effect of Zahnd’s work.
“Eric was a dedicated elected official and public servant and his work and service will have a long-lasting impact on Platte County,” Platte County Collector of Revenue Sheila Palmer said.
Kevin Corlew offered another perspective on Zahnd’s influence in county politics and the state’s criminal justice system.
Corlew, principal attorney and founding member of PathGuide Law LLC, had known Zahnd for nearly 15 years. He said he initially sought Zahnd’s guidance after entering politics because he respected his public service. Their relationship eventually grew from that of adviser and colleague into a close friendship.
While serving in the Missouri General Assembly, particularly as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Corlew relied on Zahnd to explain how proposed legislation would affect the state’s criminal justice system. He said Zahnd frequently visited the Capitol to advocate for crime victims and advise lawmakers, earning the respect of prosecutors across Missouri.
The two also worked together on campaigns and statewide Republican events. Corlew said Zahnd supported candidates who shared his commitment to law enforcement and played a significant role in organizing events in the Kansas City area. He also recalled an unusual example of the confidence his father placed in Zahnd.
“As an example of Eric’s good reputation, my dad once told me that when he wasn’t sure of candidates on the ballot for other offices, he wrote in ‘Eric Zahnd,’” Corlew recalled.
Beyond their work in politics and criminal justice, Corlew remembered Zahnd’s devotion to his family. He said Zahnd frequently spoke about attending their school, band and sporting events, asked about Corlew’s family and consistently followed through when he offered to help. Corlew also admired Zahnd’s concern for crime victims, children and other vulnerable people as well as his support for rehabilitating offenders through drug treatment courts.
What began as a professional relationship left Corlew with an enduring appreciation for Zahnd’s honesty and character.
“As a man of character, you could count on him to tell it to you straight with real-world examples,” Corlew said. “Eric indeed was a good man.”
