Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest, sister.

Sgt. Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

November 15, 2022

God bless you Detective Kristina Zell, for your service and sacrifice. Thoughts and prayers go out to your family and friends, and to your brothers and sisters from the Niagara Falls Police Department. Rest in Peace Sister.

Officer Jim Drabos (Retired)
San Gabriel (CA) Police Department

November 15, 2022

Rest in Peace Detective Zell. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and Prayers go out to your family, coworkers and friends.

Lieutenant Robert T. Mote (ret)
Buena Park, CA Police Department

November 15, 2022

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Detective Kristina Zell. I am truly sorry for your loss. The service and sacrifice of Detective Zell will not be forgotten.

Deborah C.
Wife, Mother, Aunt of LEOs
Maryland

November 15, 2022

Having lived in Buffalo most of my life and working with the fine men and women of Niagara Falls New York it hits hard to hear you lost a beautiful officer, full of life due to Corvid19. Sadly, last year the toll of most of members passed away from Covid19 because in my opinion they were not given enough information on the transmission of Corvid19 and did not get the PPE to protect themselves. Kristina was devoted her job for over 22 years and made her family and community proud to see a woman on the force. Prior she worked as Criminal Investigator for the US Marshalls; she was a very smart women and proud to wear the uniform of the Blue Line. Kristina death is not just an impact on her family but a large loss of the Niagara Falls to lose sister devoted to task to try to carry out her duty every day, God Speed Kristina

Anne Marie WoodCSW
Social Worker Against Parole for men/women who take the life of Law

November 15, 2022

I am sad to learn of the passing of a Sister and Hero in Detective Kristina Zel. I believe our Heavenly Father has welcomed her home into his loving arms where she will now patrol the Golden Streets of Heaven. May the Lord deliver Blessings, Comfort and Peace to her family, friends and all Members of the Niagara Falls Police Department, New York.

Retired, T W Martinez
FOP member
State of New Mexico/JJS

November 15, 2022

I am sad to learn of the passing of a Brother and Hero in Detective Kristina Zel. I believe our Heavenly Father has welcomed him home into his loving arms where he will now patrol the Golden Streets of Heaven. May the Lord deliver Blessings, Comfort and Peace to his family, friends and all Members of the Niagara Falls Police Department, New York.

Retired, T W Martinez
FOP member
State of New Mexico/JJS

November 15, 2022

Rest In Peace…

Retired Detective Ed Falkowski
Syracuse Police Dept, NY

November 14, 2022

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5: 9. Prayers to her family, fellow officers and friends! RIP and thank you for your service.

Correctional Officer (Retired)
Iowa Departament of Corrections

November 12, 2022

I know a few Niagara Falls officers, so this detective's death hits close to home. I reside in Niagara County, am retired from the Bflo.NY P.D. and also had covid for nearly 10 weeks. Officers are exposed to many hazards on the job and illness was the last thing we thought about, until covid came about. Detective Zell gave 22 years of service, selflessly and reported for duty because it was a calling few can claim. The community at large is fortunate to have law enforcement officers, who behind the scenes, make sacrifices we civilians can never comprehend. For this detective to give so many years of service and not see retirement is very sad. To show up every day for work with little fan fare, doing this job, speaks volumes about who detective Zell was as a person. We thank you, as a community, for your dedication to duty and will always remember you Detective Kristina Zell. Our condolences to your loved ones.

F.T.C.
Buffalo NY P.D.

November 12, 2022

Detective Zell, for many years, you dedicated your life to protecting others that they may be safe. Our Lord, who sees all and knows all, will reward you abundantly for your courage, dedication and selfless service. My heart breaks for the sorrow that your loved ones are experiencing, especially your parents. May God immerse you and them in His Divine Mercy. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

Jess Espinosa
Civilian

November 12, 2022

Rest in peace sister.

Reserve Officer Steve Durfee
Retired

November 12, 2022

Tina,
It seems like yesterday when you were a young, bright and excited college student doing ride alongs with me for the field studies program. A few years later you joined our department and as a Rookie Officer began working B- shift patrol on my team. In a very short period of time we became not only partners but best friends. There was never a call that we went on where I knew you wouldn’t have my back. Never was there a doubt in my mind that whatever was coming our way couldn't be handled. You were one of the most capable and intelligent officers on our department, always willing to go first and do the right thing. As we moved in different directions throughout the years you were always there to lend me an ear, or ask me to lend you mine. You helped make me a better person by your example, always caring and willing to help anyone in any situation. I remember how much you loved being a Warrant Officer and being assigned to the Marshalls Violent Fugitive Task Force. How you initially rebuffed my attempts to convince you to apply for the Detectives position because you loved the excitement. Then when you finally and deservedly became a Detective in the Criminal Division I watched you excel at a rockets pace. Since many of life’s greatest accomplishments can happen behind the scenes, Niag Falls residents will never truly realize what a great Detective you were as you modestly went throughout your day changing lives for the good.
Life can often be sedentary, sometimes be crazy hectic, but one thing for sure is it’s always changing. This change in my life will be a rough one. I will always remember the good times we shared throughout the years and I’ll miss my friend, but I know I will see you again someday. Thank you for the great memories and friendship. RIP Tina, your suffering is finally over. Till we meet again my friend!

Cpt. Jay Fisher Jr.
Niagara Falls Police Dept.

November 11, 2022

I had the personal honor of having her as a PT instructor in the NCLEA and let me tell you she could run and run and run. As far as work went though, she always had the best heart and everyone was given the same chance. It was an honor and a privilege to work with you Tina. Have fun with those marathons up there. Rest in piece. We will take it from here.

Officer Joseph Slack
Niagara Falls Police Department

November 11, 2022

Rest in Peace Detective Zell. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with the Zell Family and the Niagara Falls Police Department.

Cpl. Gary Hughes (Retired)
Passaic County Sheriff's Office New Jersey

November 11, 2022

Rest In Peace, Detective Zell. Praying for your loved ones.

Officer C Curione (Retired)
Rochester Police Department, NY

November 11, 2022

"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

November 10, 2022

Rest In Peace Detective.

Investigator Robert Hutter
CFSI Maine

November 10, 2022

On behalf of the Klamath County Sheriff's Office in Klamath Falls Oregon, we send our sincerest sympathy in the recent loss of your Detective Kristina Zell, from complications of the COVID - 19 virus. It is always a huge loss when a fellow Detective succumbs from this deadly virus. Her bravery and courage to protect and serve your community has not gone unnoticed. Our prayers and thoughts to the United States Marshall's Violent Fugitive Task Force where Detective Zell had previously served.

Sheriff Chris Kaber
Klamath County Sheriff's Office

November 10, 2022

RIP MY SISTER!!

Stephen Bruet, Retired Probation Officer
North Carolina Department of Public Safety

November 9, 2022

Was an honor to work with you….I’ll always remember the laughs and fun.

DUSM Brent Novak
U.S. Marshals Service

November 9, 2022

Hero never forgotten. Prayers to family blood and blue.

BLR
Retired Texas dispatcher

November 9, 2022

I so sorry that this happen and occurred I knew dect Zell quite well because I'm a registered sex offender and had interacted with before that one incdent in 2000 were I had broken my left ankle also note I'm currently in buffalo general hospital recovering from Cob-19 my self so maybe I was lucky and sparred God bless her and thank you dect Zell for you service rest in piece Kenneth p Hatfield

KennethHatfield
Had report to her as a sex offender

November 9, 2022

RIP Detective Zell. Thank you for your service to the citizens of Niagara Falls

Sergeant Darren Weisse
Tufts University Police

November 9, 2022

Detective Zell,

Thank you for your sacrifice for our nation. May you be with the Lord and may he be with your family.

Det. Russ CainPittsburgh PD

November 9, 2022