Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Zapata's family, friends and brothers and sisters in uniform during this most difficult time. He may be gone, but may he never be forgotten. Officer Zapata, you are a true hero, and KDPS lost a good one last night. My heart breaks for your children and everyone that this affects. I know the shock that they are feeling, as I've been in their shoes when a friend of mine was killed in the line of duty in Cass County in July of 2000. I'm sure that Shane greeted you at the gates and welcomed you to the big department in the sky. Thank you so much for your service, for keeping the citizen of Kalamazoo safe for all those years. RIP Officer Zapata~your memory will live on forever.

I never dreamed it would be me
My name for all eternity
Recorded here, at this hallowed place
Alas, my name, no more my face

"In the line of duty" I hear them say
My family now the price will pay
My folded flag stained with their tears
We only had those few short years

The badge no longer on my chest
I sleep now in eternal rest
My sword I pass to those behind
And pray they keep this thought in mind

I never dreamed it would be me
And with heavy heart and bended knee
I ask for all here from the past
Dear God, let my name be the last
(Author Unknown)

Melissa
Friend of another fallen MI Officer (Shane Britton EOW 07/19/00 CCSD)

April 19, 2011

Rest in peace. Thank you for your service. Prayers and blessings to your friends and family.

Patrolman Michael Hubbard
Ontwa Township Police

April 19, 2011

"All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope."
-Winston Churchill
Thank you for protecting our freedom in this community. God bless your family as they grieve your loss.
You will never be forgotten.
Rest well, Hero.

Sue Triquet-VandenBrink

April 19, 2011

RIP my brother in blue, my thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Zapata's family and friends.

Patrolman
Burton PD, MI

April 19, 2011

A simple radio call for a standard shots heard, then face to face with evil.
My thoughts and prayers for all left behind to deal with this tragedy.
Rest easy brave Warrior Brother.
May the filth who did this rot in Hell.

Senior Constable
South Australia Police

April 19, 2011

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH OFFICER ZAPATA,HIS FAMILY AND WITH THE KALAMAZZO DPS.THANK YOU OFFICER ZAPATA FOR YOUR SERVICE.MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

DAVID HARRIS III
HENDERSON CO.TX SHERIFF'S OFFICE

April 19, 2011

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. My condolences to your family, friends and coworkers of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. May you rest in peace.

Off. William F. Shields
Federal Reserve Police/Philadelphia - Retired/Haverford Police

April 19, 2011

Officer Zapata GOD speed to you our brother and may GOD bless your family and all our brothers and sisters with KDPS during this time of sorrow.

D/Lt.
Michigan State Police

April 19, 2011

RIP and may god bless you and your family. Thank you for the sacrafices you have made.

PPAII Roger Burton
Missouri Probation Parole

April 19, 2011

Officer Zapata thank you for your service. May God bless you and your family. Rest in peace. You will not be forgotten!

Lieutenant
Del Rio Police Department (Texas)

April 19, 2011

R I P Brother til we meet again.

Fire Fighter Bryan J. Murphy
Leonidas Twp. Fire/Rescue (Mi)

April 19, 2011

"We Remember the Officers"
We remember the officers who changed our lives,
The men and woman who protected us day and night,
People who respect for their dedication to the cause,
For when faced with danger, they never even pause.

We remember the officers who always stood true,
Whatever the color of uniform, brown gray or blue,
With pride and integrity they say "To serve and protect",
For the giving of their life, we offer our respect.

We remember the officers who we never really knew,
Persons strong enough to answer the challenge are few,
With heavy hearts we mourn the officers in eternal rest,
There's more to these people than the badge on their chest.

Citizen
Grand Rapids, MI

Anonymous

April 19, 2011

The ultimate sacrifice for the safety of others. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. RIP Brother.

Anonymous

April 19, 2011

RIP Brother Zapta..It's your time to patrol the streets of heaven...Our thoughts and prayers go to the family and Kalamazoo Public Safety....

Erik and Bobbi Reep
Pangburn,Ar Police Dept.

April 19, 2011

Officer Zapata,
Rest in peace brother.

Detective Dave Howell
Plano,Texas Police Dept-Auto Theft

April 19, 2011

Rest in Peace...

detective
Syracuse Police Dept, NY

April 19, 2011

Rest in Peace Sir..

DUSM R. Watson
USMS E/MI

April 19, 2011

I went to school with Eric he was always the joker a great guy at heart and always there if you needed a friend! Seen him about a year ago and I can remember messing with him tellin him that I was speeding all the way to the party! He just gave me that smirk and said don't worry ill have them waiting for ya on ur way home! Hahaha you were such a great friend,father and officer you will truly be missed! I love you man! I stand proud to have know such a great man! R.I.P. EZ!

Anonymous

April 19, 2011

R.I.P. brother

detective
Kentwood pd

April 19, 2011

The Detroit Police Officers Association expresses its deepest and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Officer Eric Zapata and to the Kalamazoo Public Safety Department. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sorrowful time. Your extended Law Enforcement family grieves with you. Officer Zapata, thank you for your service to your community and country. You will never be forgotten. Heros Live on. Rest in Peace my Brother in Blue.

P.O. Bernard J. Cybulski
Detroit Police Officers Association

April 19, 2011

I will miss you not wanting to eat my food in the station house, and not paying for it when you do. I love you Brother, and I will miss your smile everyday. A Cops Cop. I enjoyed working with you buddy.

Public Safety Officer
City of Kalamazoo DPS

April 19, 2011

We've never met, but as a resident of Kalamazoo, I appreciate the sacrifices you, your family's and your brethren make to keep us safe. I am so sorry you had to make the ultimate sacrifice and will keep your family and fellow officers in my prayers, as will many you have never known. May God take you by his side and watch over your family and continue to protect those for whom you care.

Keeping you in thought and sending prayers for those left behind.

Kalamazoo resident

Anonymous

April 19, 2011

I worked with Eric years ago when he graduated from college. He's been a great friend and he always gave you a smile to lift your spirits. Eric had a gentle, kind personality. He loved being a police officer above all else. I will miss him very much. My deepest sympathies go out to his family. They are in my thoughts and prayers.

Peace, my friend.

Kevin Denhof Chief of Security
Friend

April 19, 2011

A great man has gone to secure a safe path for the rest of us to follow. Thank you to you, your family and the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. Rest in Peace Brother.

Chief Steve Marshall
Washington, NH. Police Department

April 19, 2011

My thoughts and prayers are with PSO Zapata family and the men and women of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Saftey. RIP PSO Zapata.

Ofc. Shaun Kozal
Whitehall Police Department
Muskegon County Honor Guard

Ofc. Shaun Kozal
Whitehall Police Dept

April 19, 2011