Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The sound of gunfire echoes,
Angels look down in sorrow,
Another officer has fallen,
The Gates of Heaven swing open,
A hero is welcomed home.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

Anonymous

May 3, 2011

Officer Zapata,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Kalamazoo. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
USBP

May 3, 2011

Rest in Peace Hero

Det. Castelhano
Mount Vernon NY pD

May 2, 2011

You are the kind of officer that I would build a department around. Always positive, the biggest smile ever and a great work ethic. You will be missed, I am so proud to have known you and I will always use you as an example and role model when teaching the new recruits at the academy.

Retired Captain Larry Belen
KDPS worked in KVET together

April 30, 2011

Eric, “EZ"

No words can be written or spoken that can accurately describe the example of strength and honor that you showed us. I thank you for the honor of knowing you. You have taught us much. I promise you that you will always be remembered.

PSO Rod Mox

PSO
Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety

April 29, 2011

Eric, it was an honor to serve along side you and call you friend. We at KDPS will never forget you. You are a hero to us all.

Anonymous

April 28, 2011

Officer Zapata,
While I watched the Tribute to a Fallen Officer, I sobbed. I was shocked by my range of emotions for you and your lovely family. Although I was saddened by your death, I also was proud of you and everything that you stood for. My heart aches for your immediate family, your KDPS family along with all of the other firefighters, police officers who make up your extended family. This extended family is a wonderful family to belong too as you and you family serve your city with dedication, love and dignity and the courage to put your life on the line for others.Your children are now our children and Kalamazoo will always look out for them as you looked out for us.
To all of the Zapata family, I am sorry for you loss, but thank you for sharing your son with us, we are a better community because of him. Thank for for allowing us to greive with you and honor your son, brother, father and cousin in the manner that he deserved. Our community will cherish our short time with Eric and remember him for his heroism. My hope for you is that you can heal and remember all the "good times" with Eric. Thank you again and God bless you during you time of need.

Greiving Citizen

April 28, 2011

REST IN PEACE, BROTHER THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

PROVINCIAL CONSTABLE MARTY LALONDE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

April 27, 2011

As I watched the procession and heard some of the remarks made I cried. Why should a wonderful person be shot when he was just protecting his city. I will pray for his family and him. May he rest in peace and be welcomed into the arms of Jesus. Joycie

Anonymous

April 27, 2011

Thank you for your service. This should not have happened to you, but we are all praying for you to be in God's grace now and for comfort for your family and friends. God is real and may you now dwell with the Lord. Love and prayers to all who love Eric, especially his children. To Eric, your life had a purpose and you served that purpose in an outstanding way. Thank you.

Anonymous

April 26, 2011

Rest in peace, sir. Your loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers.

Greater love hath no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Friend of USFS Off. Kris Fairbanks RIP 9/20/08

Anonymous

April 26, 2011

today was a tribute to you PSO Eric Zapata, and a fine tribute it was. We hope we made you smile!!! your kindness and dedication will be rewarded in heaven, I am sure of that. We promise to make you proud as we work on building a kinder, safer place...in you honor!!!

Anonymous

April 26, 2011

Eric, you will be missed more than I can say. I will see you again someday, but not yet. Rest easy Brother, we'll take it from here.

PSO Steven Heyduck
Kalamazoo Public Safety

April 26, 2011

EZ-
The first time I met you, I wanted to be just like you. You embodied what a police officer was. You took your job seriously, but had fun. You were always smiling, and made others feel at ease. We are all better officers for having you with us. I will miss you and never forget.

Rick

PSO Rick McCall
KDPS

April 26, 2011

I'll always remember the early grappling training at REPZ gym. It didn't take you long to start catching me in all sort of submissions. You taught me to chase after your dreams no matter what anyone else says. I'll miss you brother. You'll always be remembered.

PSO TONY EVANS
KDPS

April 26, 2011

"EZ" as his close friends and co-workers called him, know him as a fun living, humorous and loving person. He gave is all when he was on the job, and was also very respected. He brought 90% of the laughter and humor to the department. I will be dearly missed, and his legacey lives on in his children. I wish the best for the Zapata family, and don't hesitate to call if you need anything. As we say in Kzoo PD, "were all family".

Respectfully,
PSO A. Jackson #12916

Public Safety Officer Aaron Jackson
Kalamazoo Public Safety

April 26, 2011

EZ

Little would most of have known like me that the last time I worked with you, there would be no next time. You made each shift with you go a little quicker. We will never forget you, amigo. I will hold my end up and continue the fight you started. We will miss you and God bless.

Respectfully,

PSO Fidel Mireles II #12671

PSO Fidel Mireles II
Kalamazoo Dept. of Public Safety

April 26, 2011

Eric was a brand new rookie when I first met him. I was a PSO police officer prior to going into the fire station with public safety. He came to the PSO station that I was working at and rode the rig with me for a shift. He was surprised that his driver was female, but was so enthusiastic about being on a fire engine for the evening. He talked non-stop about his hopes and dreams and his family. He made me want to start my career all over again. I retired a couple of years later, but I will never forget his eagerness and willingness to learn. I will also never forget his smile. My condolences to the entire Zapata family. God bless you all and safe passage Eric.

Retired PSO Casey Stellini

April 26, 2011

Met Eric when he was a new guy. Had the new guy syndrom that he was going to change the world. He changed our part of it forever.

PSO John Karraker (Ret)

April 26, 2011

Officer Zapata, I did not know you, but to me you exemplify the very finest in our young people, and Public Safety Officers. T hank you from the bottom of my heart for your brave and heroic sacrifice--may it remain in the hearts of all citizens and hopefully lead to a better understanding of what our Safety officers face each day. My sympathy to your family and friends, and may you Rest in our Lord's Peace.

JANET M. GATES
private citizen

April 26, 2011

RIP brother.

Detective
kalamazoo Department of Public Saftey(retired)

April 26, 2011

To Officer Zapata and the family thank-you for your service and sacrifice the memorial was very touching and memorable. To his fellow officers may god keep you safe and heal your department.

Anonymous

April 26, 2011

My thoughts and prayers are with you, family, friends and the entire law enforcement community.

Celene Jackson
civilian

April 26, 2011

My thoughts and prayers are with you, family, friends and the entire law enforcement community.

Celene Jackson
civilian

April 26, 2011

My deepest condolences to the Zapata Family! Mis Mas Sinceras Condolencias!!! God took another Hero!!!! Rip!!! you will be missed!!!

Anonymous

April 26, 2011