Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Zapata thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, co-workers and loved ones. RIP Brother, we have the watch from here.

Deputy
Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office (MI)

April 21, 2011

I want to thank everyone for all your support during this very difficult time. I am learning how much Eric was loved by so many people and how dedicated he was to his job and the people he served. It is a sad and tragic moment in our lives. He had his whole life ahead of him and was planning to get married in the near future. He was planning his daughter's future education and was always involved in his kids' lives. He enjoyed spending time with his children and loved them very, very much. They were his whole life along with his girlfriend. And in a split second his life was taken away, so, to me, being the father of such a loved person, it is hard to accept the fact that I, as a father, am burying my youngest son, for, as you know, it is our children who are supposed to bury their parents. So, I am hurting and hope time will heal this wound. Thank you for all the nice things you have said about my son. He will be missed.

Adolfo Zapata, Eric's Dad

April 21, 2011

Rest in Peace Officer Zapata. My prayers and thoughts are going out to your family both at home and on the job. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Never Forgotten

Karen Perrucci
survivor of law enforcement

April 21, 2011

God bless you and all the officers of the City of Kalamazoo for doing what you do so selflessly

Craig Norrod
and the staff of Fleet Services

April 21, 2011

Rest in peace my brother. Go walk the streets of Gold. You have earned that. My thoughts and prayers will be with your family. Another sad day for my fellow borthers and sisters.

Sgt. Dan Cheadle
Oblong Il Police Dept

April 21, 2011

To the Zapata Family and Friends,

May the Lord continue to bless you all with positive memories of Eric. He was a great man and a true HERO! Many blessing to those who knew Eric and those who served with him. He will truly be missed.

Lieutenant Barbara Alexander Terry
Phoenix Police Department

April 21, 2011

My sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Public Safety Officer Eric Zapata as well as to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. Rest in peace Officer Zapata, you are gone but will not be forgotten...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL

April 20, 2011

Sending positive thoughts and prayers from Grand Rapids, to the family, friends and coworkers of Officer Zapata. I did not have the honor of meeting or working with Eric, but he will always be my brother. Thank you for your service and a job well done, and may God heal the hearts of your loved ones.

Pat Locke, Retired Federal Agent
US Postal Inspectors, Grand Rapids, MI

April 20, 2011

RIP brother Eric.

May God bless and be with your family, co-workers and friends at this very difficult time.

Det. Bevenour
Gettysburg Police Dept

April 20, 2011

Our entire unit sends our thoughts and prayers to the family of Brother Eric and to the KDPS. Your service to this Country will always be honored. RIP Brother Eric.

Commander Griffin / MPS DOPS
OIG Special Ops / Airport Security Div.

April 20, 2011

be at peace. god bless.

Anonymous

April 20, 2011

I am so very sorry for your family and community. Please know that you are not forgotten and prayers are lifted up for your often.

Jamie Hamlett
Sister Charles Callemyn EOW 2/14/2007

April 20, 2011

God Bless Eric Zapata..your department folded and presented the flag off of our fallen officer's casket to his mother in 1994. We know the pain your fellow officers are going through. May God bless your family and friends as you will never be forgotten. We will be there to honor you, your department and the ultimate sacrifice you made. God Speed our brother, and thank you...and to KDPS we are here for you..GHDPS

Officer
Grand Haven Department of Public Safety

April 20, 2011

As a retired Kalamazoo, MI police officer I am saddened by the sacrifice Eric Zapota made in the line of duty. My prayers are with the Zapota family. Fred A. Stone

Retired
Kalamazoo Police Department

April 20, 2011

To PSO Zapata's Family:
There are no words, knowing you are and never will be alone might be of some comfort I hope. He was taken so young and in a terrible way. There has been way too much of this lately and it makes me embarrassed to be a human being at times. I sit here in tears. Please try to get thru this as a family, everyone goes thru their grief differently as I know being a young woman whos experienced loss of a husband. You all ARE NOT AND NEVER WILL BE ALONE. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss.

To PSO Zapata:
Please keep the watch on your family now, as they need
you the most. Make your presence known. I know you can do it!! I salute you and am so very sorry you were taken in such a way at such a young age. GodSpeed Sir...........

Lisa from Western Ma
Caring Supporter of all Hero's and their Families

April 20, 2011

My thoughts & prayers are with Officer Zapota's family as well as his & brother's & sister's. I am so very sorry for your loss. Eric is a HERO and we are all very proud of him! Take care of each other....

Dispatcher Marcia Johnson
Portage Police

April 20, 2011

EZ,
What can I say that hasn't already been said about a wonderful, hilarious, courageous, loving man. Your laughter was contagious and your smile could fill a building not just a room. I will never forget our UC operations and all our practical jokes. I know you will always be watching over me and all your brothers and sisters in blue. You may be physically gone, but your soul will always be there. Thank you EZ for being my partner and my friend.

PSO Scott Brooks
Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety

April 20, 2011

R.I.P. Brother!!! Thank you for your service...

Officer G. Lauren
Lowell Police Dept. (Michigan)

April 20, 2011

Officer Zapata, you will not be forgotten! R.I.P.

Deputy Sheriff
Livingston County (Il) Sheriff's Ofc.

April 20, 2011

Sending deepest sympathies to Officer Zapata's family and co-workers for the loss of this heroic man who made the greatest sacrifice possible. God bless!

Teresa Madsen
South Dakota Women's Prison

April 20, 2011

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Public Safety Officer Eric Zapata. Another Hero taken too soon. R.I.P Sir!

Wm Jean-Paul Rochat
Swiss Army, MP-Service, Traffic Unit

April 20, 2011

REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF E.J. MORRIS
RANDOLPH MO P.D.

April 20, 2011

Dear Zapata family and KDPS family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. My sincere condolences to your family, friends, and all those who loved and knew Eric. It's very difficult to be the spouse of a police officer, and you, Mrs. Zapata, are a very special lady. To you and myself, our husbands are just regular guys and we just expect our husbands to come home when their shift is over. Please know that there are several law enforcement wives who grieve with you and are praying for you. All of you.

C. Lewis
Michigan State Police (Trooper's wife)

April 20, 2011

Rest in Peace fellow LEO brother. May GOD be with your family and friends during this difficult time.

Anonymous

April 20, 2011

His Judgment Day:
The officer stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Officer, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek To my church have you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I've been violent Because the streets are tough.
But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep.. Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't...I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Officer. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell"

Author unknown

May God be with everyone

Motor Officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD Plano, TX

April 20, 2011