Giffords aide Gabe Zimmerman, 30: A rising star in politics, Zimmerman began working with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on her congressional campaign in 2006, and became an aide for her in 2007. He was planning on marrying his girlfriend Katie O’Brien next year. Colleague C.J. Karamargin said, “Gabe was unfailingly patient with people. He was helping World War II vets get medals, people with Medicare benefits, veterans with benefits issues. He was determined to just do the best he could.”

Dorwin Stoddard, 76: A retired construction worker and gas station owner, Dorwin was a pillar in his community for his work at the Mountain Avenue Church of Christ, where he lent his time and effort to help the poor and the sick. When the shots fired during the rampage, Dorwan leaped to his wife Mavy’s defense (she was shot twice, but lived), shielding her with his body. Said his pastor, Mike Nowak: “That would be something Dorwan would do — He would have protected her.”

U.S. District Judge John Roll, 63: A conservative who’d served as chief judge of the District of Arizona for more than four years, Roll was known for his fairness. Tucson attorney Richard Martinez, who’d worked alongside the venerated Roll, said that “whatever his personal feelings were about the case, they didn’t come out in court proceedings — that is the mark of a real judge.” He’s survived by his wife, three sons and five grandchildren.

Phyllis Schneck, 79: The New Jersey transplant put her efforts toward her large family, consisting of three children, seven grandchildren, and 2-year-old great-grandchild, according to her daughter, Betty-Jean Offutt. She’d also headed a women’s club back east, and was an active member of her Presbyterian church, donating items to help various food banks and children’s charities. Schneck “would give you the shirt off her back,” Offutt said. “If you didn’t have anywhere to go, she’d invite you over to dinner.”

Dorothy Morris, 76: A mother of two, Dorothy was fatally shot in the Tucson rampage alongside her longtime love, husband George (the retired airline pilot was also shot in the massacre). Family friend Bill Royle said the couple, who were high school sweethearts, “seemed like they were on their honeymoon — they were always together.”