Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Zapata was a true hero. A man who was well respected and well liked. I am truely sad to learn of his loss. We must always remember the dangers of public safety and never forget the countless acts of selfless bravery that each person in public safety exhibits everyday. I pray for his family and the safety and well being of all men in women in public safety.

Firefighter/Paramedic Mike Marshall
Lawton Fire Department

April 22, 2011

May your family remember they were loved by a hero. Your selfless courage doing your job will always be revered. May the Department feel the comfort of their fellow thin Blue Line. God bless the family, always be proud.

Mother of an Officer
Colorado Springs PD

April 22, 2011

We are suppose to be the Bravest and the Finest, but every time I hear of another brother or sister lost, I become the Saddest. May God be with each and every person that wears a badge, pulls a hoseline and is called a Hero by the citizens they protect. And may God watch over the families and friends that give us the support to be able to go to work every day and the love that is needed when we return.

FF David Chambers
Philadelphia Fire Department

April 22, 2011

To Officer Zapata, we thank you for your service and for making the ultimate sacrifice. You will not be forgotten! RIP Brother!

K-9 Officer Jason Williams
Henry County (Ind) Sheriffs Department

April 22, 2011

Chief Strzelecki and the entire Niles Police Department extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Zapata. Godspeed.

Niles, Illinois Police Department

April 22, 2011

RIP Eric, Thank you for your dedication and service, someday we will see you on the other side!!! Godspeed:)

Deputy Amy Moon
Otsego County Sheriff Department

April 22, 2011

To the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Zapata, we would like to express our deepest condolences. Officer Zapata's service will never be forgotten. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.

Sssion 50
The Zone Five Police Academy

April 22, 2011

My prayers go out to Officer Zapata's family and Brothers in Blue. "Blessed are the Peacemaker's for they shall be called the Children of God". RIP

Police Officer's Mother
Fairfax County, Virginia

April 22, 2011

Rest in peace brother Zapata. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Ptl. Shriver-Kelch
Kettering PD, Kettering, OH

April 22, 2011

Vaya con Dios Eric.

Police Officer Nelson Marti
New York State Park Police/Taconic Region

April 22, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Officer Zapata as well as the brotherhood at Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. May you rest in peace our brother!

Detective Mark Techmanski
City of Syracuse (NY) Police Department

April 22, 2011

Eric,

You were my Quarterback in school. My job was to protect you. I was an offensive lineman. I protected you to the best of my ability. You helped me up when I layed on the ground even when I did not do my job very well.
When we did well and won, you thanked the guys that protected you.

Now, all these years later, I feel like I should have been there to protect you... like you have protected the population of K-zoo.

I am extremely proud of you and all that you accomplished.

Now it is time for you to beef up and be an offensive lineman. Your family, friends, and department will flourish and lead long and happy lives with OL Zapata blocking for them.

God brought home a good one.

Anonymous

April 22, 2011

Rest in peace Officer Zapata. My sincere condolences to your family and to your department. I believe that I met you one time while I was stationed in the Battle Creek VAPD. God speed my brother as you now patrol the streets of gold. Thanks for your service. Terry F. Zech

OFC TERRY F. ZECH(RET) USN(RET)
VETERAN AFFAIRS POLICE DEPT, DETROIT, MICHIGAN

April 21, 2011

To family and friends:
'God didn’t promise days without pain,
laughter without sorrow, sun without rain;
but He did promise strength for the day,
comfort for the tears and light for the way'.

Rest in peace Officer Zapata.

Sgt. Randy Keenan
Alameda, CA Police Dept.

April 21, 2011

my conddolences to the family and friends of officer zapata , my thoughts and prayers are with you thinking of you in time of need

karen
member of milwood neighborhood watch

April 21, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers to the dear family and friends of Officer Eric Zapata. God Bless him for his service and the sacrifice he made to keep others safe. Rest in Peace brother, hero's are never ever forgotten. Our prayers to the officers of the Kalamazoo Police Department.

Sgt. Jim May (ret)
CMPD Charlotte, North Carolina

April 21, 2011

EZ,
You will be missed, you were and always will be a Great Public Safety Officer. The memories will never go away, from the trout incident to all the annoying pictures you put on all the station computers. I will never forget that laugh you would do to annoy me. We had great times working together and riding two man cars, even when we weren't suppose to. You were a good friend and powershift partner. I can go on and on of all the good memories. You were a fun person to be around and always put a smile on people's face. I will miss that infectious smile and you easy going attitude.
We miss you brother, you will always be in our hearts and minds. You will NEVER be forgotten. Rest in Peace.

PSO Amil Alwan
Kalamazoo Dept of Public Safety

April 21, 2011

Thankyou for your service, you are a hero for us all to look up too. You will never be forgotten. God bless your family during these tragic times.

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA

April 21, 2011

Even though Eric was older than my three boys, he spent alot of time watching over them, by his choice, You have never witnessed a house clearing out so fast as when Eric drove in the driveway. He was a Rock Star at our house. I love you Eric, and thank-you for always having the time for my boys

d.logan
close friend

April 21, 2011

Thoughts and prayers are with PSO Zapata's family and the KDPS family.

MCO J. Killey
Michigan State Police - Traffic Safety Division

April 21, 2011

My Prayers and Thoughts are with the Family of Officer Zapata as they get through these days,Take comfort in knowing he was called home by our Heavenly Father in the line of Duty,He loved so much.As a Daughter of a Police Officer to his Children I say (He took the oath to Protect and that he did well)He now has a Pair of Angel Wings that will always and forever be watching over you,and I am sure they are made of BRASS we all know what Brass means to an Officer always shining bright R.I.P Officer Zapata

Pam Henry
Daughter of a Former K.T.P.D.Officer

April 21, 2011

Though I have never had the chance to know you, to meet you, but over the past few days I have heard a lot about you. I have heard how funny you are, how loved you are, how hard of a worker you are. My thoughts and prayers are with your kids and loved ones, the officers you served with and all those people who's hearts you touched. I have not heard one person say it was an easy day. I woke up to a email from a Detective at KDPS that was delivered to my email box way to early in the morning for a normal day work for him. I knew from that moment something was wrong in the city. I got on the news and heard of the loss of a member of KDPS. My heart just sank, there is no words that can express the loss of someone who puts their lives on the line to defend their community.

Thank you for your service, and to the rest of KDPS our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss, keep your heads up high and laugh a lot, because from what I have heard that is what EZ would want you to be doing!

Kevin Hoffer

April 21, 2011

I'm one of the secretaries in the Detective Bureau and work at KDPS HQ. One day I see PSO Zapata on the 1st floor at KDPS in the Teleserve Office (a temp assignment). I speak some Spanish and thought with a name like Zapata, he has to speak some Spanish. So I thought I'll ask him so I wld know who to turn to in case I got 'stuck' in translating. I asked. He looked at me with a big smile and said 'No, I don't speak any Spanish.' I said, 'it's not too late to learn.' He kept on smiling. I will always remember that conversation along with his great smile. He will be truly missed. I know Eric is watching over us now. May the Good Lord hold Eric and lead him Home. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Take care all of you and Dios' te bendiga (God bless).

Martha Pineda Gutierrez, KDPS/Det Bureau

April 21, 2011

Rest in peace, Officer Zapata. Your service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Linda Lamm - LEO wife and sister of
Jay Balchunas EOW 11.05.04

April 21, 2011

God needed another hero. RIP Officer Zapata

Survivor, Stan Jerlecki

April 21, 2011