Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest In Peace.

#2959
U.S. Marshals

April 19, 2011

Hard to hear of a loss so close to home. Prayers to Eric's family but also to his fellow officers and dispatchers who will live with this loss for the rest of their lives.
God Speed Officer Zapata.

Mary Agay Cook Retired
Portage Police Department

April 19, 2011

A criminal element you were not afraid to confront for the sake of protecting the citizens of your community. I don't believe a simple thank you is enough to convey how we appreciate your service and sacrifice. However, for many of us it is more than just two words. In a case like this, it comes from the heart. Your actions more than likely prevented a madman from committing more violence. A very heartfelt thank you, officer Zapata.

Officer retired
Bflo ny PD

April 19, 2011

RIP Brother.

Mike Rayburn - Retired
Saratoga Springs, NY

April 19, 2011

Eric, we will miss you. We will miss that great smile, outgoing personality and joking nature. Our hearts can't express the loss we feel for you and your family, our loss as well. You are kind to everyone. God bless and keep you.

Kim Marciniak
KDPS

April 19, 2011

Rest in God's loving embrace, hero. You will never be forgotten.

Wisconsin L.E.O.

April 19, 2011

Our hearts are deeply saddened by the loss of Officer Eric Zapata. We are praying for peace for all our brothers and sisters at KDPS and especially for the Zapata family. May God grant His peace in this time of loss.

Captain Jack Dykstra
Holland Department of Public Safety

April 19, 2011

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends" - John 15:13. God speed mighty warrior. Look over us and guide us. R.I.P. brother.

Anonymous

April 19, 2011

Eric was a good friend and fellow officer. He will be deeply missed by all that knew him. He could always bring a smile to your face and make you laugh not matter how bad your day was going.

I'll miss you man.

Clarke

PSO Brad Clarke
Kalamazoo Public Safety

April 19, 2011

God Bless you Officer Zapata..And may God Bless your family and friends..
Rest in Peace

Retired Sgt Kim Price
Sterling Heights

April 19, 2011

REST IN PEACE.

INVESTIGATOR BOB CAMERON
CLEVELAND HTS PD (OHIO)

April 19, 2011

Thank you for your unselfish act of heroism. My heart and prayers go out to your family and fellow Officers.

Dep. John Cooper
Kent County Sheriff Dept.

April 19, 2011

May God watch over your family at this time and always. God Bless you and thank you for your service to the community.

Anonymous

April 19, 2011

R.I.P. brother Eric Zapata!!!

Husker Street Officer
Fellow Brother

April 19, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of this brave officer. Rest in Peace.

Sheriff Ray Foster
Buchanan County Sheriff's Office

April 19, 2011

May God Bless Officer Eric Zapata. May God Bless his family, friends and coworkers and be with them, help them receive some peace while they are going through this traumatic and sad time.

As a surviving spouse I understand all that some of you are going through. It has been 11 years now and the pain never goes away. It took me 10 years to actually go through my grieving time as I could not accept reality. I am now this last year starting to rebuild my life to the best that I can.
If anyone needs someone to talk to or needs my help in anyway, please, please feel free to contact me. You can contact me at my email address: [email protected] or call me directly at home: 916-897-9916 also feel free to call or even leave a text on my cell number: 916-585-1565

My prayers are with you as well as my heart.

Sincerely,
Gina Sharra (Surviving Wife of Deputy Allen Sharra-Kings County Sheriff's Dept.)

Surviving wife-Gina Sharra
Kings County Sheriff's Dept. (CA)

April 19, 2011

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

April 19, 2011

Thank you for your faithful service to our community. This is such a tragic loss, I am having a hard time wrapping my head around it. My heart goes out to your immediate family as well as your brothers and sisters at KDPS. Continuous thoughts, prayers and love are being sent their way. Rest in Peace.

Tabatha Hampton
Wife of Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Officer Albert Hampton

April 19, 2011

Eric was not only a great cop but a wonderful human being. I had the honor of working with him out of Station 7 for a couple of years. Eric was a supervisor's dream. He was truly one of the nicest, kindest people I have ever met in my life. It's hard to recall a time when Eric wouldn't greet you with that "patented" huge smile on his face. A senseless tragedy that claimed an amazing man to which I'm still numb over. Rest in Peace my friend until we meet again.

Sgt. Don McLennan (Retired)
Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety

April 19, 2011

Eric Zapata #12369.... You were my friend for quite some time. I never imagined in my life I would have to leave a reflection for you on this website. It shows that life is fragile. I have sat here for the hours after finding out what happened last night and I am devastated. My heart is heavy. I find myself smiling and crying at the same time while I think of ALL of the things that we experience as partners in law enforcement and as friends. I remember our last UC operation together with Scott Brooks. We had so much fun that day! You made that job fun and put smiles on many people’s faces. I will hold these times close to my heart forever Eric. I find it ironic that when I took you to get your first tattoo, the one I got said “Always in my heart”! Sorry I told you it didn’t hurt BTW! The faces and sounds you made while getting your tattoo were hilarious! :) One thing that puts my mind at ease is that I know that you were a believer in our Lord, Jesus Christ and when you made the ultimate sacrifice you went home to Him to be held in His arms so that you could be our guardian from heaven. We WILL meet again someday brother. You were an amazing police officer, father and friend I will always love YOU and keep YOU in my heart. Milton

Fred Milton

April 19, 2011

Officer Zapata, may you rest in peace. You paid the ultimate sacrifice, but it was not in vain. I hope your family, friends and our extended law enforcement family at the Kalamazoo DPS find peace during this difficult time.

Reserve Officer L. Brown
Rainier Police Department

April 19, 2011

MAY God give his family PEACE & COMFORT.
God bless you my brother.

Sgt.Roy Davis
Retired Detroit Police Department

April 19, 2011

God Bless you brother....

P/O E. Gonzalez #049
Bowie City MD Police

April 19, 2011

Rest in Peace brother.

May all of KDPS know your brothers and sisters in brown are there for you. We will support you in whatever you need. As your chief said, we share a bond that others don't understand.

God bless.

Sgt George Beuckelaere
Kalamazoo County Sheriff Dept

April 19, 2011

Such a senseless crime. Here you have someone that cares about his community and someone who doesn't care about anything at all. Even himself. Takes an innocent man's life. So very sorry to the family of Officer.

Anonymous

April 19, 2011