Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You did not sacrifice your life in vain. Even in your passing, you've touched many lives and will continue to through your loving memory. May God watch over your son Jacob and wife Jamie. Till we all meet again, rest in peace.

Officer J. Cheng
Escondido Police Dept

Dear Tony,

I couldn't make it to your funeral today due to family commitments. But I did make a point of going to a vantage point where I could watch the motorcade of patrol vehicles enroute to your funeral. Others were there as well. Some came when they heard the sirens wondering why so many cops. They were quickly informed by onlookers that the officers were on their way to pay their last respects to you.

I have been to other agency funerals in the past but none has affected me like yours. I suppose it's partially due to how you died, but it's also due to the response by a woman who stopped to view the procession. She shared the vantage point of my truck bed as we watched the cars, trucks, and motorcycles go by for almost thirty minutes. As this woman said, she had no closer link to law enforcement than a traffic ticket and yet, she was deeply touched by the tribute of your fellow officers from all over the state and the Southwest.

This morning I was feeling guilty about not attending your services. Now, after several hours to reflect on my experience, I'm convinced it was the right decision. I would have never seen these total strangers lined up, overlooking the highway you used to travel. I would have never felt the emotion coming from these people for an officer they never met, and now, will never have the opportunity to meet.

We all have wondered about the rationale behind the divine plan that allowed this senseless act to occur. We will never know the answer to this question. But I now know the reason my schedule would not permit me to attend your services. It was made clear to me by the citizens we have sworn to protect. Although they rarely tell us, we are appreciated for our hard work, dedication, and sacrifice.

My deepest condolences to your family and with special prayers for your wife and young daughter. They will always be part of our much larger family and hold a special place in our hearts.

Sergeant D. Weidenthaler
San Diego County Sheriff's Department

TO THE FAMILY OF OFFICER ZEPPETELLA, MY FAMILY OFFERS ITS' MOST SINCERE CONDOLENCES. THOUGH I NEVER KNEW HIM, I KNOW HE WAS A MIRACLE SENT FROM GOD. YOU DEDICATED YOUR LIFE TO BEING A POLICE OFFICER FOR THE BETTER OF MANKIND. NO WORDS CAN EXPLAIN HOW IT FEELS WHEN ANOTHER BROTHER OR SISTER MAKES THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. HE MADE A DIFFERENCE AND YES HE IS A HERO, NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN . EVERY POLICE OFFICER IN THIS COUNTRY WILL CARRIE YOUR MEMORY WITH THEM. WE LOVE YOU AND WE WILL PROTECT YOUR FAMILY. REST IN PEACE , YOU MADE YOUR COMMUNITY A SAFER PLACE TO LIVE IN. FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS YOU ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST! WE WILL CONTINUE FOR YOU, GOD SPEED PEACEMAKER YOUR ARE A MIRACLE SENT FROM GOD!

DEPUTY SHERIFF M. LAFRAMBOISE #64/0307
JACKSON CO. MO SHERIFF'S DEPT.

There's a different pain when a police officer dies, for he's the only one we can call to save ourselves from the madness of eachother. When an officer dies, there is one less person who can do just that, and there is never enough thanks to give to those of you who do it daily. The citizens you protect and serve are grateful to you.

Margaret
San Diego Private Citizen

Tony showed his true colors though his life by honor, courage, country and committment. God speed my friend and may god bless you and your family. In heavan you will be reaunited...! Rest in peace brother...!

John Tobin (Gysgt Ret USMC)
Inspector, Customs San Diego

Your fellow brothers and sisters are right now paying respects. I hope you were able to see how many fellow LEO's showed today to show their support. Law Enforcement suffered a great loss with your departure. I can only hope those charged with judging your attacker can do the right thing. Today we all shed a blue tear for you.

Tim Maloney
Oceanside area

The nation is stricken with sadness to hear of yet another uniformed member has fallen. I am not sure what, when, where or how these gutless, cowardly punks will get the message, but here it is; you cannot, you will not, ever succeed in defeating the strong arm of the law and the thousands, if not millions, of families that stand by these men and women whom are brave enough to face you and wipe you out. Our sadness only makes us stronger in ensuring that we rise and remain above you. Mrs. Zeppetella, take that young boy and look into his eyes and see the brave father that brought him here. Teach him well, love him, and never let him forget the purpose, dignity, and honor that his father provided for the thousands of grateful souls within the Oceanside community and to his country. Grieve for his absence, but walk and talk proudly for you have made a difference in our crazy world. Thank-you for your dedication and belief in his purpose. You too are a hero. Bless you both..

Technical Sergeant Douglas Hermann
Washington Air National Guard

Just want to say my heart goes out to family, brothers officers, and all who risk theirs lives to try to keep us safe. God bless you, and give you protection, peace, strength. Thank you.

May God be with you and your family. Thanks for your service brother. You are a hero to everyone who is or ever has worn a badge.

Deputy Michael DaSilveira
San Diego Sheriff Department

~Policeman's Prayer~

"When I start my tour of duty God,
Wherever crime may be,
as I walk the darkened streets alone,
Let me be close to thee.

Please give me understanding with both the young and old.
Let me listen with attention until their story's told.
Let me never make a judgment in a rash or callous way,
but let me hold my patience let each man have his say.

Lord if some dark and dreary night,
I must give my life,
Lord, with your everlasting love
protect my children and my wife."

Dear Tony:
God bless you and may you rest in peace. I did not have the honor of meeting you, but I will never forget you. I wish all of the best for your wife and son. I know you will be watching over them. Thank you for protecting the city that I live in and for your bravery. You are a "Blue Angel".

Nicole Nicholson

She lost her husband.
He lost his daddy.
They lost their son and brother.

A hero was lost.

May each day for her be eaiser than the last.
May he know how brave and proud his daddy was.
May they know what he ment to his brothers in blue.
May your hearts heal.

A hero we will not forget.

Toni
Oceanside Police Department

To Tony's family and co-workers I am sorry to hear of your loss. I am angered everytime I read that another brother in blue was killed because some thug thought he could get away with something. Even though no one wants him there he is in a better place now walking a much safer beat. He is looking down on the rest of us keeping us safe.

Officer Spencer Salyers #58
Vice President "Get Behind the Badge".

Patrolman Spencer Salyers #58
Whitehall Police Department, Whitehall Ohio

Rest in Peace Brother. You are with God and your Family now and forever.

State Trooper
New Jersey State Police

May God be with you and your family. Thanks for your service brother.

Deputy
LA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

Silent Agony

Celebrating a hero’s life,
left alone, no longer a wife.
My son is now a hero’s son,
forever He’ll be the only one.

Tears that fall
waterfalls of tears,
How can this be?
There just weren’t enough years.

I have a new title, it’s “widow” now,
I don’t want to speak it, but it’s true somehow.

Can’t go into our room, he’s not there,
How can God do this? It’s just not fair!

I feel Isolation when in a full room,
I wish this were over, please God make it soon.

The killer sits in a cold jail cell,
Anxiously awaiting his trophies in Hell.

Lord help me forgive and to forget this day,
I wish he were back, that there was a way,

To tell him how I have missed him so,
To hold him ever tighter and never let him go,
To be held in his arms while I scream and cry,
No one else can do this, and they don’t understand why.

All the arrangements are making me numb,
All of this suffering because of a gun,
Placed in the wrong hands of death and hate,
And fear and blindness that killed my mate.

But such is the life of a Policeman’s wife,
Or so at least I am told,
We send them out to protect land and life,
and expose them to dangers untold.

If I could change just one tiny thing,
I’d give my life you see,
For killers to stop, and crime rates to drop
In the land of the brave and the free.

(feeling my sister's pain)

tony's sister- in- law

God Bless

Anonymous

You will be remembered and honored always by those who knew you, and those who wish they could have.

A king without a sword
A land without a king
A truth without a voice
One song left to sing

A wise man told me there's something you should know
The way you judge a man is to look into his soul
And you'll soon see everything.

A voice from the past cried "Give peace a chance"
He paid our price now he's free at last
Imagine, we called him a dreamer!
How many times must good men die?
How many tears will the children cry?
'Til they suffer no more sadness
Stop the madness,


If ashes are ashes and dust is dust
At our journey's end then return we must
To the sands of the shore
White doves in flight
Peace to all
But tell me why the peacemakers fall
Must we bury anymore?

The hush of the crowd as the horse rode by
A black lace veil hid the tears from her eyes
And we all wept in silence
How many times must good men die?
How many times will the children cry?
'Til they suffer no more sadness
Oh, stop the madness. MH

Sleep well brother.

Detective James Leitholf
Oceanside Police Department

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Sorry to hear about another officer losing their life in the line of duty.

Our Adams E.O.W. was 3/22/02.

Parents of Deputy Adam Streicher

A PART OF AMERICA DIED

Somebody killed a policeman today,

and a part of America died.

A piece of our country he swore to protect

will be buried with him, at his side.

The suspect who shot him will stand up in court,

with counsel demanding his rights.

While a young widowed mother must work for her kids

and spend alone many long nights.

The beat that he walked was a battlefield too,

just as if he'd gone off to war.

Though the flag of our nation won't fly at half mast,

to his name they will add a gold star.

Yes, somebody killed a policeman today.

It happened in your town or mine.

While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors

a cop put his life on the line.

Now his ghost walks a beat on a dark city street

and he stands at each new rookie's side.

He answered the call and gave us his all

and a part of America died.

Author - Unknown


Tony,
I have covered you and you have covered me. Now, you cover us all! God speed!

Officer R. Schickel
Oceanside Police

I send out the most heart felt prayers for this Officer's family. That poor 6 month old that will never get to know his dad. What a shame. To the wife I can only say stay strong thru these times. I was told when a close friend of mine was killed on duty, God never gives you anything that you can't handle. I really beleive that. To all our brothers in BLUE, we WILL meet him again someday. We will all walk the streets together.

Protect us Hero!

Deputy
A TN Sheriffs Office

“For those who pledge to uphold it, Freedom requires a sacrifice the protected will never know”

I am so saddened and angry to hear of the death of a fine young officer, a family man, at the hands of a cowardly creature. I hope that the suspect who did this burns in hell.

I pray for Officer Zeppetella's family, friends and colleagues. This hurst us all in the family of the badge, because that could have been any of us, regardless of where we work or what uniform we wear.

He now patrols the streets of Heaven with St. Michael. God Bless and be safe.

Chief JA Millan

Chief JA Millan
NC Public Schools, Avery Dist SP

May God bless young Jakob and Jamie.
Tony was one of my best friends in the navy for many reasons. Always fair, accepting responsibility, and committed to excellence in everything he did. He encouraged me in hard times and was never too proud to ask for advice. Although younger than myself, I often looked to follow his example. There is much that Jakob would have gained from a father like Tony. God's plan is difficult to see through our own eyes. But we know He blesses those who love Him.

Scott Mosby
Fellow Navy Veteran

God be with the family of Officer Tony Zeppetella and his brothers in blue.

Officer, Fairfax County Police Dept.
Fairfax County, VA