Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Erik Jon Telen

Fresno County Sheriff's Office, California

End of Watch Tuesday, August 21, 2001

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Erik Jon Telen

Never forgotten. Much Love Brother

Deputy lV. W.Vincent
Fresno County Sheriff (ret)

August 21, 2022

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Telen.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 7, 2022

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 21, 2020

Love ya brother.

W.Vincent Dep lV
FSO

August 21, 2019

Erik, It's hard to believe that it's been so long. I remember meeting you a few times before the night you called me out for a crime scene. When we got together, after I processed the scene, we had some time to talk. I told you about my Son, who died just a few weeks before. You told me about your hope and dreams with the Dept. and your Family. It was a good time and I enjoyed it very much. You were very open and let me talk, I needed that, at that time. I appreciated it. And, I know that you were going to be one of the best Deputies we would ever have. You had a presence that made you a special kind of person.
Little did I know what was coming.
It was a hard time being at the funeral. It was all I could do to be there. You reminded me of my own son so much, it made it almost impossible.
I won't forget you and I know many others in the Dept. that won't either.
We were blessed to have had you with us.
Bless those you Love, and those who Protect because they are called to do so.

Jack Fox, Crime Scene Expert
Fresno Co. Sheriff Office

August 10, 2019

Deputy John Telen gave his life in performance of his duties. May his family--and especially his son John Telen--remember him for the hero he was--and is.

Stan Jefferson
Citizen of Arizona

August 21, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. You are honored and remembered on the 17th anniversary of your EOW.

Officer Mike Robinson(Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

August 21, 2018

Rest in peace.

Sgt. Jim Russo

August 22, 2016

The years are flying by, the day I remember like it was yesterday....

Much love brother.....

WCV 1376
Fresno Co Sheriff

August 22, 2015

You cannot qualify suffering. My father wrote a Valley Voices piece in the Fresno Bee called " Officer Down... " regarding Officer Telen and after many articles prior, that was the last one he wrote. I asked him why and he told me he never thought people would understand the way they did with that article. Now as he deals with his own passing he asked me to thank Officer Telen's wife and his family as well as the police community. I didn't understand his position at first, but I do now. Thank you men in Blue and my father thanks you.

Julien Jones

February 17, 2015

Much love my friend.

W.Vincent #1376
Fresno Co. Sheriff

August 21, 2014

Hard to believe how fast time flys by. Kids that were babies are now young adults. I know you're proud. Much love to you and yours.

W.Vincent #1376
Fresno Co. Sheriff

August 22, 2013

Much love brother

W.vincent 1376
Fresno Co. Sheriff

August 21, 2012

10 years ago today all began well. We did not know this kind of tragedy. Then everything changed forevermore.

There is sadness for your family, friends, and co-workers who miss you very much, every day. May God Bless your legacy, for paying the ultimate price a Law Enforcement Officer can give..

Peace.

Kathleen
Former Co-Worker

August 21, 2011

Time goes by so fast, and time does heal the burning hurt but it doesn’t truly all go away. I remember what you did for me and am forever grateful. Much love to you and yours.

W. Vincent 1376
Fresno Co. Sheriff

August 21, 2010

Rest in Peace, Deputy Telen. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 23, 2009

Not forgotten my friend. Much love to you and yours.

W.Vincent
Fresno Co. Sheriff

August 22, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 8th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

It seems that your family had to wait a long time for the monster who took your life to finally be sentenced.

Rest In Peace, Erik.

I hope to one day meet some of your family at a COPS function.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

Anonymous

August 21, 2009

Today is the day before your 34th birthday. I still miss you like it was yesterday. Happy birthday bro. Love JP

Jason Poole
friend

November 19, 2008

More than seven years after Ramadan Abdullah fatally shot Fresno County sheriff's deputy Erik Telen, he has been found guilty of first-degree murder and will likely spend the rest of his life in prison.

Anonymous

September 19, 2008

Erik,
Seven years ago Erik, a date and time that is burned into my soul. You are a true friend, and missed every day. It’s the strangest thing how fast time goes by now. Years go by which seem like months. Even as the years go by, I will not forget what you did for me. I know you are in Gods house and safe there, and that give me great comfort knowing you’re there. Love to you and yours.

Deputy W. Vincent
Fresno Co. Sheriff

August 21, 2008

Remembering you and all of your loved ones and close friends today. Continue to watch over all of them and protect them. You are a true hero and heroes never die. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

August 21, 2008

Always remembered, Erik.

Chaplain Jim Taylor
Fresno County Sheriff's Dept.

May 22, 2008

Erik, I can finally sit here and let it out. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you. The first time I saw you in uniform, I thought... man I can be a cop. You gave me some encouraging words, told me of the good times. Then it happened...I lost a friend. I thought of the sacrifice you and your family gave and thought... man can I be a cop? Well, because of you I have been a cop for 2 years now. You changed my life in so many ways. I will never forget you. Your friend, Your brother S.H. 10-98

Officer S.H.
Your Friend

April 3, 2008

"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
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

August 28, 2007

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