Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Another angel taken. Godspeed and thank you!

Erik, although I never met you, I feel a great sense of loss. I guess that when a law enforcemet officer that serves so close to where you live passes it hits a little harder. My dream is to become a police officer, and to do a job as well as you did, and to be as well respected by the citizens, and your peers as you were. My prayers go to you, your wife, your children, and your department.

You will never be forgotten.

Jeff Connell

"Uncommon valor is a common virtrue"

Jeff Connell
Citizen Volunteer Atwater Police Dept.

Rest in Peace Warrior, Rest in Peace.

Officer Jason Woodruff
Gulf Shores, AL Police Department

Erik was a fine person to know. I was one of the back up deputies to arrive. Every deputy on scene did every thing possible resolve the problem we had. We should all thank god that Erik gave his life for us.

Anonymous

My fallen brother, it need not be said, you will be forever missed. Rest assured, my friend, your shining example will continue to affect sworn and civilian lives for years to come.
My beat partner, my Saturday morning breakfast buddy, my colleague. Your humor, compassion, courage, dedication to the job and love of family have inspired me. You accomplished these great tasks seemingly without effort. You are a true man and a true hero.
You have changed minds, routines, and this department.
In the past, I believed I wore my badge as proudly as possible. I now know, I was wrong.
You are and will always be my pal. Thank you Erik.

Area Four, Watch II

Deputy Sheriff John Wages
Fresno Sheriff's Department

Erik worked for me on day shift. He was an absolute pleasure to supervise. I never had to worry about him not doing the right thing. He loved his job and his family. Erik will be truly missed by us all. Erik was truly loved, not only by his family, but by his fellow Peace Officers. Erik will be truly missed, but never forgotten.

Sgt. Thomas Klose

Sergeant Thomas Klose
Fresno County Sheriff's Dept.

All of us within the Chaves County Sheriff's Department wish to express our condolences and deepest sympathy in the death of Deputy Erik Telen.

Whether it is in the line of duty or from other causes, the death of an officer, friend and loved one is not easy to accept. I hope that knowing that your department and the family of your officer will be remembered in our prayers will be of some comfort in the days to follow.

Sheriff Patrick R. Jennings
Chaves County Sheriff's Dept

We grieve too even though we work behind the wall and out of sight.
As the Reverend said at your funeral God has a plan but only He knows what it is. May God bless you and support your grief stricken family.

The Officers of the Detention-Custody Bureau

C/O IV Paul Sullivan
Fresno County Sheriff's Dept.

Deputy Telen I sure do look up to you, I wanna be a police officer someday too, my mama don't want me to be but you see it's in the blood I can't ignore what the good Lord has intended for, I just hope I can be as good as a cop you were to me.

Anonymous

I only met Erik a few months ago, but I'm thankful for the little time that I knew him. Erik's locker was close to mine for a short time and we would talk about different things in the morning, while getting geared up for work. The last conversation I had with Erik was about a week before he was killed. Erik had recently been selected to become a Field Training Officer. He asked me what FTO school was like and what he had to look forward to. I remember how excited he was and how much he was looking forward to becoming an FTO. I wish I could have gotten to know Erik better, but I am greatful for the time I did know him. Erik was truly a hero on August 21st, 2001. I will never forget you. Thank you Erik and God bless you.

Deputy Sheriff Doug Sullivan
Fresno County Sheriff's Department

Thank you deputy Telen. You gave your life for the peace and safety of all of California. You will always be remembered as a hero in all of our hearts. I'm sorry I couldn't make it down to Fresno to give my thanks in person. God bless you.

Justin Betts (explorer)
Alameda County Sheriff's Office

The Police Officers 23rd Psalm

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, His comforting hand reduces the fear to naught, He makes me walk through the streets of crime, but He gives me courage and peace of mind. He leads by still waters in the path I trod, and He says in Romans I'm a "Minister of God". He leads in rightousness as He restores my soul, for His name's sake He keeps me whole. When I walk through death's valley, right up to the door, I will fear no evil, for He comforts me more. For thou art with me every step of the way, as thy rod and thy staff protect me each day. He prepares a table, especially for me, as I walk daily among life's enemies. He gives me authority to uphold the law, and he anoints my position in the midst of it all. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, each day of my life through eternity. As I long to hear Him say "Well done..", when I lay down my life, my badge and my gun.

From The Class#88 (Fresno Police Academy).

You will be missed Deputy Erik Telen

Cadets
n/a

rest in peace brother, you are in the arms of God

PO Michael A Baker
Kansas City Missouri PD

May God be with the family, friends and co-workers of Deputy Erik Telen during this time of grieiving. Gone too soon... but NOT forgotten!

May this tragedy be a reminder to all who serve and protect... "But by the grace of god, there go I". Be safe.

May god bless the Telen family and the USA.

SGT Paul Honeman
Anchorage (AK) P.D.

to the family, friends, fellow officers and deputies of Deputy Telen's beat, you all will not be forgotten. I live in Fresno County and I have seen the face of the man who took your life when you were just trying to do your job. A job you loved so much. I have seen the news reports, read the paper articles and seen your wife on TV talking of you. You did a brave and selfless thing that faitfull night when you entered the home. You knew the risks, you knew the consequences, but you went anyway. To serve and protect is an understatement. It is a commitment of bravery, compassion and loyalty to your fellow man. I thank you and will miss you dearly. My thoughts and prayers to your family, God Bless.

Matt Bosch
Citizen of Fresno County

My heart goes out to the Officers family and the coworkers of this Officer. My prayers are with you all. I am a civilian in Fresno, Ca.

When I received a phone call about Deputy Telen, my heart skipped several beats and I felt so horrible knowing what the family is going through. I felt so bad that I can not be there for the family in their time of need as I have moved to a different state after my husband Deputy Sharra was killed . Fresno County Sheriffs department is the next county from my late husbands and was amoung the many at my husbands services.........May God Bless the Telen Family and the Fresno County Sheriffs Department, May Deputy Telen rest in peace as we all know he is now with our other lost Officers patroling the heavens above..........May everyone please say a prayer for the family, friends and coworkers and please dont forget them AFTER all the services are done with and things quiet down, that is when you are most needed even if the survivor doesnt say anything at the time....please be there for Deputy Telens wife now and always........with love and prayers.........Widow of Deputy Allen Sharra/Kings County Sheriffs Department/End of watch Dec. 27th 1999.

Surviving wife/Gina Sharra
Kings County Sheriff's Department

You are a true hero. God bless you, your family and friends, and your department.

Andrew
Baltimore City Police

I RECIEVE NUMEROUS BREAK-IN IN PROGRESS RUNS EVERYDAY. I WORK IN A VERY HIGH CRIME AREA, ASSIGNED TO PUBLIC HOUSING I SOMETIMES TAKE FOR GRANTED THAT I WILL BE SAFE IF I AM ALWAYS AWARE OF MY SURROUNDINGS. BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHO IS AROUNG THE NEXT CORNER OF A BIULDING, IS IT THE LITTLE OLD LADY WHO IS JUST OUT CLEANING HER YARD OR IS IT THE DRUG DEALER YOU LOCKED UP LAST WEEK TAKING AWAY A DAYS PROFITS. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU WILL MAKE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. BE SAFE.

OFC. S FISHER
LOUISVILLE PD, KENTUCKY

Its hard to believe this really happened. It don't seem possible.I went thru a terrible time When my son was kiled on Duty last year so i Know what Erics Family is going thru now. Pray for the family. Kenny

Deputy Sheriff Kenny Hetrick
Ottawa County Sheriff

My heart and Prayers go out to the family and to the Fresno County Sheriff's Office for our fallen brother, Deputy Erik Telen.

God bless all.


Chaplain Fred Szatkowski
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office
602-826-3622

Chaplain
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

True heros can never be taken from us, as long as you remember him in your thoughts and heart,God Bless

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs P.D.

You are not forgotten! We will continue to do the job in your honor and in memory of you and all who laid down their lives so that we could live in a civilized society. We are stronger because of you. Rest in peace

Ptlm. M.W. Ludlow
Palmyra Police Dept., NJ

HAVING GROWN UP IN THE VALLEY THIS DEFINITELY HITS CLOSE TO HOME. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY.


OFC. TONY CUEVAS
SOMERTON P.D. (AZ)

OFC. TONY CUEVAS
SOMERTON P.D. (AZ)

Deputy Telen,
From the Criminal Justice Institute class 01-04, we send our deepest regrets and at the same time would like to thank you for your commitment to serve and protect. God bless your wife and children. You served your community so that others could sleep peacefully at night.


God Bless

Class 01-04
Orlando Police Department