Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Always remembered, Erik.

Chaplain Jim Taylor
Fresno County Sheriff's Dept.

May 22, 2008

Erik, I can finally sit here and let it out. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you. The first time I saw you in uniform, I thought... man I can be a cop. You gave me some encouraging words, told me of the good times. Then it happened...I lost a friend. I thought of the sacrifice you and your family gave and thought... man can I be a cop? Well, because of you I have been a cop for 2 years now. You changed my life in so many ways. I will never forget you. Your friend, Your brother S.H. 10-98

Officer S.H.
Your Friend

April 3, 2008

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

August 28, 2007

Deputy Sheriff Telen,
Today is the sixth anniversary of your EOW. We are remembering you across the country for the profound sacrifice you were asked to make on August 21, 2001. May the legacy of ultimate bravery and committment you left continue on through your children.

Pennsylvania citizen

August 21, 2007

I cannot beleive it has been 6 years, I still remember you like it was yesterday. I remember booking for you at West Valley Detention Center and you were always so kind. I still have your replica badge pen that one of the guys at Ontario PD gave me becasue they knew i really liked you and the person you were. I have three sons and my husband wanted to name our middle son Erik and i he knows i like to put a little twist on names so he said i could spell it how i want.....well i thought of you and his name is Erik Patrick....I just always remember and keep myself at peace with knowing you are in a much better place then we....i pray for your family and hope they are all well and growing up to know what a hero their daddy was and still is patroling the streets of heaven.

Rochelle
SBSD

August 21, 2007

Eric,
It’s been Five years ago tonight. I have not forgotten you my friend you are often in my thoughts. I met your unborn son not to long ago. Funny when I saw him I saw your eyes. Be proud brother. We all miss you.

Deputy W. Vincent
Fresno Co. Sheriff

August 21, 2006

To the family and loved ones of Deputy Sheriff Erik Jon Telen and his fellow officers with the Fresno County Sheriff's Department:

On this the fifth anniversary of Erik's tragic death, I wanted to honor and remember him today. Erik's professionalism and dedication will never be forgotten, nor will his valor and courage.

In reading the loving reflections left by his friends and co-workers I can see that he was very well respected and is sorely missed. I hope that God is holding him in the sweetest part of his heart and the most gentle part of his soul.

I am so sorry that Eric was robbed of his life so tragically, but through his heroism and the profound sense of duty with which he lived his life, he made an immeasurable difference. May his spirit continue to soar and may his memory continue to inspire.

When my beloved son Larry was fatally shot during a foot pursuit of two armed robbers, his wife Jo Ann was also pregnant with their son. It seems so unfair that these little boys never got to be held in their father's arms and will only know their fathers through the cherished memories of others.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Eric gave to his community and the citizens of California, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on August 21, 2001.

Phyllis L. Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD
eow 4/24/05

August 21, 2006

I never met Erik. I feel as if I knew him through my brother, Sgt Thomas Klose, whom Erik worked for.
A part of all of us in the law enforcemnet community dies with each and every E.O.W. notification.
The deepest sympathy goes out to Erik's family.




"All gave some"
"Some gave all"

Respectfully,
Ron Klose,
Retired CDC Officer

Ron Klose
Retired CDC Officer

August 17, 2006

E.T. It's been almost five years already. I still miss you like you like it was yesterday. I will love you forever buddy. J.P.

J P
Friend

August 2, 2006

Rest in Peace Erik. You left your mark on this world and will never be forgotten.

Officer Michael Nelsen
Ontario PD, California

March 17, 2006

Erik,

Your not forgotten. I think of our academy days together. I think of your family and them missing you. I'll see you soon, when I get to meet our Lord Jesus. Thank You.

Dan Richardson
Merced PD

February 14, 2006

4 years tonight and the void is still there. Missing your courage, your drive to do the right thing, the humor and all that you brought to this world.
Thank you for setting the bar for others to rise up to and try for 'better' daily.

You are missed, and will be missed, but never forgotten. Never.

Anonymous
Fresno California

August 22, 2005

Rest in peace brother.

Police Officer
Denver Police Department

August 21, 2005

Thank you for your hard work and commitment. You will never be forgotten. This is really getting out of control. There are so many police officers losing their lives because of all these senseless people on the streets. I lost a GREAT friend in 2004. I am sure you have met him in heaven. I hope you guided him when he first got there. You all have done a hell of a job. Thank you so much!! You, your family, and loved ones will be in my thoughts. Tell Nick hi for me.

Tracie
Friend of Officer Sloan

August 21, 2005

Today is August 19th, 2005. It is only two days away from the 4 year mark of your death. I can assure you nobody in this department has forgotten you. We're reminded of your spirit in every Sheriff's Dept. building we walk into as we look at your photograph. Life has moved on but we have not forgotten, nor will we ever. God bless you my friend.

Detective Doug Sullivan
Fresno County Sheriff's Dept.

August 19, 2005

Today is 8/21/04, its been three years since you were taken from us. We have not forgotten you, nor will we ever. Your spirit lives on with our department Erik, and we miss you deeply. God bless you my friend.

Deputy Doug Sullivan
Fresno County Sheriff's Dept.

August 22, 2004

Well brother it's only now, a few years after you were taken from us that I can sit here and type this. I have logged onto this site so many times but until now I have never been able to finish what I wanted to say. There is so much I want to say about you and the type of person you were. I remember our academy days together and how much fun we had. Lake parties, academy graduation, and both of us getting our badges pined on our chests that day. I look at the pictures of us at graduation standing at attention in or uniforms and I reflect on how excited we were and how proud our families were of us. I think about our long talks on graves and how we laughed and joked around with one another. I recall how much you talked about your family and how much you loved them. I was so looking forward to our new assignment together as FTO's and tormenting the trainees together. I think about how excited you were when you got assigned to the mountains, and how you joked with me about me getting stuck in metro. God sometimes takes from us the people we love and there is always a reason. Knowing this however I still search for answers as to why it was you. I often think about how random the area assignments are handed out and how easily it could have been me clearing that house instead of you. You have no idea just how many lives you touched and how much a part of my life you truly were. I think about you and your family everyday. Know this brother you will never be forgotten and you are a Hero. You were everything every cop wants and strives to be. You were the best of us all and an inspiration to everyone. You will forever be missed. I feel very honored and humbled to be able to say to people that I knew you and we were friends. Rest in peace bro. your watch has ended. 10-98 complete 10-7 heaven. FIDH

Deputy Rob Dutrow
Fresno Sheriff Dept.

March 12, 2004

Deputy Telen- You will not be forgoten. You passed away a hero. Rest in peace brother. Deputy E. Telen 10-8 HEAVEN.

C.O. S. Alley
DOC

November 17, 2003

At the beginning of every shift I supervise, myself and the other officers on shift dedicate the day to the memory of a fallen officer. Today, August 21, 2003 we dedicated the shift to the memory of Deputy Erik Jon Telen who died on this date two years ago.

When one law enforcement officer falls, we all stumble for a while, but we will carry on.

Deputy Telen's sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Paul Bissonnette
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Surrey, BC

August 21, 2003

May you rest in peace... When is this going to stop?

Anonymous

You showed us how to wear a badge,
Gave us memories we're holding tight,
Your courageous way is safe with all..
Just missing you so .. here... tonight.

Erik, a year has passed and no one has forgotten your smile, your humor, or your courage.. may god comfort those that you loved on this first anniversary of your new assignment.

Anonymous

Erick was my brother though not by blood. He was a brother officer serving the citizens of Fresno. He left behind a great friend in his wife, two beautiful daughters and a son that was born just after his death. Erick gave his life, doing what he loved to do, protecting the citizens of Fresno.
This incident hit my family harder than most because, my brother Bill was one of his first FTO's after Erick left Ontario PD. Bill was also involved along with several other Deputies (HEREOS) in rescuing Erick from inside the house.

ERICK REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER, AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

POLICE OFFICER GREG VINCENT
TORRANCE POLICE DEPT

Eric's death took its toll on me as I know it did for many of those who knew him. Sadly, one of the memories I have of Eric was a call he assisted me on. A report of a man with a gun in an advantaged position came out and I was one of the first to respond. We had been issued tactical helmets recently and Eric was the only one smart enough to wear his. We all thought, "Oh come on! That isn't necessary." Eric, I wear my helmet with the memory of you and knowing your angel is watching over me in all the calls I respond to.

The Fresno media may forget about you- I will not.

Res. Officer
Ontario PD

May God Bless and keep Erik and comfort those loved ones left behind. Words can not express the loss that is felt when an officer is killed in the line of duty. This young man gave his life protecting the citizens of California. We will never forget.

Motorcycle Officer Tom Simonds
San Diego Police Department

As a retired Fresno Police Officer, my heart goes out to the family, friends and fellow law enforcement officers of Fresno County for this terrible loss. I pray for strength for the family during this time.

Coordinator; Basic Police Academy
College of the Redwoods Public Safety Center