Mother of boy slain in San Jose park asks for memorial bench

(KRON) — The mother of a 9-year-old boy who was slain in San Jose’s Cataldi Park wants to build a memorial bench dedicated to her son.

According for police, James Dzierbun was stabbed to death in the park by his “deranged father” on July 13. San Jose Police Department officers fatally shot the father as they tried in vain to rescue the boy.

James was an “extraordinary child,” his mother, Sandra Rencontre, said. He loved cats, Minecraft, soccer, baseball, and reading, she said.

Rencontre is currently working with City Councilmember David Cohen’s office for the memorial bench project. The bench would be “a place of peace where all the members of the Berryessa community can come to remember James’s beautiful life,” Rencontre wrote.

The cost of the bench would total $8,000. Through donations from the mayor’s office, Cohen’s office, and Rencontre, they have collected $3,600 so far.

To help raise enough funding, the mother created a verified GoFundMe page where people can donate.

“Your thoughts and prayers have meant so much during this time and have literally lifted me up as I face this new life without the light of my precious child,” Rencontre wrote on the page.

Following the tragedy of losing her son, Rencontre told KRON4, “My whole world has shattered in a single moment. He was so smart: emotionally intelligent beyond his years. He knew how much I loved him, and I’ll never have to regret not telling him that enough.”

James’ 48-year-old father had an undiagnosed mental illness and hid his mental health struggles, family members said.