Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Tony,
It's been a year since I graduated from the academy which was dedicated in your honor. I think about your courage and the sacrifice you made every day. I want to thank you in guiding me and keeping me safe for my first year being 10-8.

Officer Rodriguez
FVPD/PCPA Class 13

December 31, 2007

Hi Tony,

I just wanted to send you a quick hello and THANK YOU for keeping your brothers and sisters at OPD safe. They had an OIS the other night and of course I heard about it on the news so I didn't have the REAL details. I know that you and Dan wrapped your arms around them that night and I THANK YOU so much for keeping them safe. Merry Christmas.

R.AKANS #1354
ESPD/PCPA

December 26, 2007

Tony,we wish you a Merry Christmas
Wish you were here
We Love you and miss you so very much.

December 24, 2007

I can still picture you eating your Jack In The Box tacos. Miss you Brother.....

Anonymous
OPD

December 4, 2007

Tony... it is during the Holiday Season that those of us left behind realize how much you have sacrificed for your community. How incredible it would be to see you enjoying Thanksgiving in Paso with your family...playing in the yard with Jacob and going on a later afternoon run with him to burn off the excess turkey! While your name has faded from the front pages, your memory and sacrifice burn in our hearts. Thank you for your example. I pray everyday for you, Jamie, Jakob and your family. I have faith that eternal peace is the reward for God's most valiant. If anyone deserves such a reward it is you.

Grateful

November 26, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving Tony... thinking of you at this time of remembering how much we are thankful for... having you in my life even for such a short time...I am very grateful. I miss you...

Shirl
OPD/TPD

November 21, 2007

Thinking of you buddy!

Matt
OPD

October 25, 2007

Tony,
Very few days ever go by without thinking of you or Dan. I miss both of you. I pause every day at your memorial outside the station. I look at your and Dan's names. I usually wipe it off, as it gets dusty. But your memory does not. We remember the both of you.

Sergeant Leonard Cosby
Oceanside PD

October 16, 2007

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YONY
WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU VERY MUCH
WISH YOU WERE HERE

October 2, 2007

Over 4 years have passed since you were called away but I know that you have been in the thoughts of those that love you dearly every single day during this time. You will never be forgotten. The first thought they have when they awake every morning is of you and the last thought of the day before dropping off to sleep at night is of you. Continue to watch over them and those that are out on patrol.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

September 21, 2007

"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

September 20, 2007

Hey Tony, I just past my 20 year anniversary in law enforcement yesterday and it made me think of you and Dan and a whole bunch of other things... 20 years... when you begin this career 20 years is one heck of a long ways down the road, lots of enthusiasm, lots of energy, and bunches of dreams... then when it passes you wonder where all the years went, where all the energy went and what the heck happened to those dreams? But you also think about the people you met along the way and that's where you come in.

I sometimes can't get past thinking of your big smile, your energy, all that enthusiasm you showed up in briefing with every day... I'm so grateful to have known you, thank you for sharing those smiles with the rest of us and giving us some wonderful memories...

Hey by the way, your mom sent me some photos of Jakob the other day, oh my gosh he is so big... I know you are so very proud... Jamie is doing such a great job, as I'm sure you knew she would... well, I just wanted to say I miss you...

Shirl

September 20, 2007

This all still sucks so bad. The only recompense to the pain that these memories give is that the cost was so high that the return will surely be great.

More will come to Christ because of you Tony, its the only good thing I can think of about your death.

Psalm 116:12

Matthew Botkin
SDPD

August 26, 2007

Hi Tony,

I thought it was about time I touched base with the fallen officer's we have honored here at Palomar. It's been a while for me. I think you you, Jamie and Jakob often.
Recently, the anniversary of your death passed and as always, I remember the day like it was yesterday. It was my 38th birthday. Although I didn't respond to the scene...I remember listening the radio traffic. It's amazing how one remembers all the details when they are so affected by a certain event. Every year when I celebrate my birthday, I think of you. It takes me back to that day...evening. I think of Jamie and Jakob. I think of your parents. I still need to send them shirts (I'm so bad). I remember everything I felt that day. I haven't seen or heard from Jamie since Class 13 graduated, I pray for her and Jakob often and hope they are doing well. I'm sure you are watching down on them. Just tonight, Damian picked up a picure of Jamie, Jakob, Reggie and I at Petco Park last Sept. at Tony Zeppetella night with the San Diego Padres. We were talking about how we are doing the same thing for Dan Bessant and praying that all the tickets get sold for his night! Continue to watch over those who honor you as they keep our streets safe!

Blessing,

Shanon Dreyer
Palomar College Police Academy

August 10, 2007

Hey Tony I made it through FTO and am 10-8 on my own now. I don't feel like I am the only one in the car though. I have been in some tough situations already on the job and I just wanted to thank you for looking out for me and my partners.

Officer R. Bellamy
San Bernardino PD / PCPA #13

August 1, 2007

Hi Tony,

Just thinking about you and how quick time has passed and not really believing how long it has been! It still feels like yesterday...I remember every small detail from the minute Rob's phone rang. Thank you for that wonderful, beautiful son of yours....he's so fun to have around! You know I think back about helping Jaime watch him over the year's (since he was about 9 month's old!) and to see him now!! He is a cutie!!!! I love spending time with he and Jaime so much. I am thankful to have gotten to know her so well over the year's and to consider them part of our family. Tony, even though I never knew you personally...I feel like I do, just from all of the wonderful stories that Jaime and I have talked about for so long now. You are missed so very much and some day I will have a chance to meet you face to face:) You and Dan take care of things up there for us... don't worry we'll continue to help take care of Jaime and Jakob here. I'll be in touch! May the Lord continue to richly bless your life and the lives of all the one's you've touched as well! Love you!!

Tamara Sarracino
OPD Wife - Family Friend

July 23, 2007

Hey Tony,
Was thinking of you tonight. I still can't believe you aren't around anymore. I miss the emails and following your journey through life. My prayers go out to you, Jakob, and Jamie. God bless.

Tom
USS Stennis Shipmate

July 20, 2007

When I picked Jakob up from school on Friday, I asked him how his day was. All he said was "I miss my Daddy Tony". He loves you and he misses you. He was just 6 months old when you were killed, yet he thinks of you everyday. He wants you to live with us again. It breaks my heart and makes me smile all at the same time. Just want you to know that your little boy hasn't forgotten you. We love you.

July 16, 2007

Whoever said "time will heal the pain" never lost you.

July 16, 2007

Tony, it's been 4 years, how could time go by like this and it still seem so new and painful... Today is Father's Day and I thought of you and Jakob and your father... how difficult today must be for them and yet I know you are shining down on them with so much love...I'm sure they feel it. Happy Father's Day my friend....

Shirl
OPD/TPD

June 17, 2007

Go maire sibh bhur saol nua.

Cheers!

Matt Lyons
OPD

June 15, 2007

"May you enjoy your new life."

Slainte!

Matt Lyons
OPD

June 15, 2007

Tony,
I can't believe it's been four years...
I remember that day like it was yesterday and the feelings and visions will be forever burned in my mind. I remember seeing your patrol car...abandoned in the middle of the street with the driver's side door left open. Something as simple as that is still one of the most haunting things I've ever seen, knowing what had played out only a short time before. Your death changed me forever and as you sit in heaven, with God and so many other valiant warrior brothers and sisters in blue, only you can understand why.

Your legacy lives on for lifetimes to come and it is one of the few things that can bring some semblance of solace in this sick and twisted world we're in. You are one of the greats and you inspire so many - more than most will ever comprehend. I never knew you personally, but I can't wait for the day we meet in heaven.

God bless, brother.

Officer Damian Jackson
Escondido PD

June 13, 2007

HI Tony,

You know every time I am over at the academy I walk by the wall and I stare at the EOW dates. I just looked at yours on this website and it chills me to the core of my being to know that it has already been four years today. I can remember the call and the radio traffic like it was yesterday. It amazes me how a date can spark up such vivid memories.......

Thank You for all that you have done and continue to do in so many people's lives. Thank you for reminding me that I need to get out of work, quit sucking up the OT and go home and hug my family and tell them "I Love You." See what I mean about continuing to work in people's lives.... You just touched mine AGAIN. THANK YOU!

Talk to you soon........

R.AKANS #1354
ESPD/PCPA

June 13, 2007

REMEMBERING OFFICER ZEPPETELLA TODAY.
WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN.
IT LIVES WITH US EVERY DAY.
WE WILL NEVER FORGET THE "ULTIMATE SACRIFICE" HE GAVE.

MOTHER OF A FALLEN DEPUTY

June 13, 2007