Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

"Valor is of no consequence, chance rules all...and often the bravest of men fall by the hands of cowards" Tacitus.

Thanks brother

Special Agent
US Customs - San Diego

Tony, you will be missed but never forgotten. Thank you for everything. It won't be the same without you.

"Now we cover our badges and stand in line
Forever, a promise, his memory will shine"
-Author unknown

Officer Clint Bussey
Oceanside Police Department

RIP brother, my regards to the family

Deputy booker/Patrolman
Shelby County Sheriffs Office

As a former Oceanside resident and fellow SDPD Grad, I am deeply sad to hear that you and your family have paid the unltimate price and sacrafice for faithful service to the community and the Country. May God bless you and your family with peace and comfort.

SA Woody

Special Agent Lawrence Woody
Bureau of Diplomatic Security Services (DSS)

Rest easy brother, justice will be served.

Ranger Howe
Indianapolis Park Rangers

My heart goes out to the family and friends of this young hero. It saddens me to hear of such a tragic loss. God will welcome you hero, watch over us Brother Tony, you will never be forgotten.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/03

Assistant Chief Carl Wortham
Sand Springs PD OK

Another heart-broken family. Another child growing up without his father. What a sick world we live in.
Deepest sympathy to the family of PO Tony Zeppetella.

Anonymous

Rest in peace warrior. You are a hero and a brother lost. The thin blue line is thinner now. May your young son and wife always remember you as a hero and may God give them and your fellow officers the strength to carry on. We keep the beat and protect the streets in your name Tony. God bless and RIP.

A Brother in Blue

Ptlm
CPD, NY

rest in peace my brother. i will pick up where you left off and continue to do so. thanks for your duty,honor and service.

deputy shawn ward
middlesex county S.O VA

Another hero has fallen to the evil that he protected others from. He gave his life to keep the citizens of Oceanside safe and for that he paid the ultimate price.

To the Family and friends of Officer Zeppettella:

I am really sorry for your loss. I hope you can remain strong in these tough times.

Thank you 'cause you gave it all for the rest of us...

Senior Patrol Agent
US Border Patrol /San Diego

God bless you and your family. You are not forgotten, and your little boy will be proud to know that his dad was a hero.

Officer M. Baetsch
North Dakota

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Officer Zeppetella for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

Anonymous

God bless the family and fellow officers of officer Zepettetella. Thank you for a job well done. He will never be forgotten for the bravery that he had to become a police officer. We will continue the battle for what you stood for. God will watch over your family and take care of them. God Speed Brother. NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN.

Lt R. Mark Moore
Clinton Police Dept. TN.

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Tony be the be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Zeppetella's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Tony is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Tony was well respected and well loved. Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please take care of my fiance Dennis.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Drakesville, IA)
Dennis McElderry's fiancee - E.O.W. (01/03/03)

God Bless this brave man in blue. Let us never forget the sacrafice he and his family have endured for the safety of others. Your son will never know you personally, but your heart will always be with him.
God Bless hero...

Police Officers Wife

I was sorry to learn that we lost another brother in the line of duty. To the family and co-workers are thought and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. May it comfort you to know that his sacrifice will not be forgotten as we continue to serve and protect in his honor. Officer Zeppetella we salute your service and we know you gave it all to make your city a better place. Rest in peace my brother!

Sgt.Steve Hunt
AMORY PD,Ms. K9 Unit

On behalf of the men and women who serve and work for the Georgia Perimeter College Police Department, our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Tony Zeppetella's wife and son, family, friends, and co-workers of the Oceanside Police Department.

God Bless. Now you can walk Heaven's beat.

Officer Johns
Georiga Perimeter College Police Department

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Anonymous

Rest in peace, Tony. You will never be forgotten.

Police Officer Broussard
Escondido Police Dept.

TO MRS. ZEPPETELLA AND THE ENTIRE FAMILY OF OFFICER ZEPPETELLA, PLEASE KNOW THAT I'M VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSE.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

SPO J ANTHONY
WILSON POLICE DEPT

Tony Zeppetella is a true hero! All too often people take for granted what law enforcement officers like Tony do for us each and every day. I pray for Tony's family and co-workers.

Sr. Investigator
Riverside County DA

GOD BE WITH YOUR FAMILY,FRIENDS, AND AGENCY ... YOU DIED A TRUE WARRIOR...

Officer Jim Gilbert
Columbus OHIO Division of Police

My heart breaks everytime I read that one of my brothers or sisters loses their life in performance of their duties. May God hold your family, especially your young child close to him. I look at my own children everytime I leave for shift and pray that they never know that pain. Rest in Peace.

Brother Officer

Our thoughts and prayers are with Tony's wife, son, family and co-workers. Rest in peace brother.

Sgt. Tom Greenstone
California Highway Patrol, Oceanside Area

TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FELLOW COLLEAGUES OF OFFICER ZEPPETELLA,
I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR TRAGIC LOSS. WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS THE SORROW I FEEL. I WAS IN SUCH SHOCK AS I WATCHED THE LOCAL NEWS TO HEAR ABOUT ANOTHER COWARDLY ACT OF ANOTHER MAN TAKING ANOTHER PRECIOUS LIFE. PLEASE FIND SOME PEACE AND COMFORT KNOWING THAT TONY IS NOW IN HEAVEN AND WILL NOW BEGIN HIS NEW JOURNEY GUIDING THOSE HE LOVED THROUGH LIFE AND PROTECTING HIS LOVED ONES AND ALL HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY. MAY HE CONTINUE TO LIVE THROUGH THE LIFE OF HIS SON AND ALL THE PRECIOUS MEMORIES YOU WILL ALL CHERISH FOREVER.
MAY GOD BLESS TONY, HIS LOVING WIFE AND SON HE LEAVES BEHIND ALONG WITH HIS FRIENDS AND FELLOW COLLEAGUES THROUGH THIS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TIME.
I OFFER MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO YOU ALL.

WIFE OF LAPD DETECTIVE
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPT.