Deputy Sheriff Erik Jon Telen
Fresno County Sheriff's Department
California
End of Watch: Tuesday, August 21, 2001

Biographical Info
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 4 years, 6 months
Badge Number: 7647

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, August 21, 2001
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Deputy Erik Telen was shot and killed investigating a burglary call at a local residence at approximately 7:00 pm.

Neighbors of the home had called deputies after they were confronted by a suspicious man who threatened them and then walked towards the house. Contact was made with relatives of the home's owner who stated the owners were out of town. When the deputies arrived they located an open window. They entered the house in an attempt to locate the suspect and as they entered a hallway, the heavily armed suspect opened fire, fatally wounding Deputy Telen.

The second deputy retreated and called for backup. Responding deputies were able to get Deputy Telen out of the home and transport him to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect was apprehended after a five-hour standoff.

The suspect was sentenced to life in prison on October 20, 2008.

Deputy Telen had been employed with the Fresno County Sheriff's Department for 18 months. He had also served three years with the Ontario, California Police Department.

He is survived by his expectant wife and two young daughters. Deputy Telen's son was born on October 1, 2001, and named after his father.