Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in Peace, Officer Zeppetella. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 19, 2012

Hi Tony... thinking of you as usual... this morning my cadet asked me about the bracelet I wear every day... it gave me an opportunity to tell her about you... she said you must be really special for me to wear this bracelet in your honor, I told her you were indeed special and that the bracelet reminds me of just how special... it also ensures that I will never ever forget... sharing with her reminded me how blessed I am to have known you... miss you my friend...

Shirl

January 3, 2012

Help me, Lord, to be a good and capable police officer. Give me the courage to face the unknown and to act on my convictions. Give me the wisdom to remain above temptations and frustrations I will meet. Give me the dedication to do the best job I can do.

RIP TONY! Peace to your family on this, our Holy Father's Birthday!

Chowda
OSPD

December 20, 2011

Happy Birthday Tony
You are just missed so very much.
We Love You

Zeppetella
Mother

October 1, 2011

Tony


I retired early from the CHP in 1985 (stationed in Oceanside). Shortly thereafter, I left the area, but return to visit frequently. I think of you every time I travel SR76 and see your dedication sign. Thanks for you service to the Oceanside community and the ultimate sacrifice you paid.

Our lives have crossed in an unusual way. Shortly before my mother passed away from cancer, she was selected to serve on the jury of the individual accused of killing you. She commented that it was sad that a police officer's life meant so little to an individual that he would take it with little thought and no reason. She was part of the jury that convicted, and recommended the death penalty for your assailant.

Rest in peace
Dale Kennedy

State Traffic Officer Retired
California Highway Patrol

August 7, 2011

Thinking of you, and as always, missing you....

Shirl Tyner

August 5, 2011

You are just missed so much. You were so wonderful.

Anonymous
Relative

July 14, 2011

It was June 13, 2003 a little after 5 PM, we were working separate squad cars that night on the same understaffed shift! I listened to the radio and heard the "Emer" button tone and felt that sick feeling all Officers get when they hear the dispatch calling out your partners call sign "6 Boy!" "6 Boy" and no answer! A long pause that seemed like an eternity and there is still no response. Then we hear what we all feared; the call for help from dispatch "11-99." That feeling is real and present today, 8 years later as I write this. Each Officer that responded to your side, have there own nightmares and perspective about it I am sure! We all handled it differently and still deal with it today. Not fair! Not right! You were too young! Too much to live for! What a shame, etc. etc. etc. Tony you aren't forgotten nor is your family. I don't have contact with them, but know through friends and conversations they are all doing well as expected. This year we are recognizing the 10 year anniversary of the "9/11 Attack" on America! In many ways you were also a casualty of this "War on Terror" as was OSPD Officer Danny Bessant EOW: 12-20-06. Both stood on the line and did so with character and dignity. I haven't forgotten and never will! Bless your family, friends and survivors, I know you are with our Lord! Remember, "I have already made reservations!" :)

Police Corporal Matt Lyons
Oceanside Police Department

June 14, 2011

Cant believe it's been 8 years brother. That day still stays fresh in my mind. Always will. We miss you.

Anonymous

June 13, 2011

Wishing you a Happy Easter

Anonymous

April 23, 2011

Miss you brother.

Anonymous

February 21, 2011

Thought I would drop in and leave a short note. I know that time continues to pass since that horrible day in June of 2003 and that those that love you dearly live in the past and wish they could return to those happy memories of the past. I know they will forever cherish those memories. Stay close to them, let all of your loved ones know you are near by letting them feel your presence. You are a true hero and will never be forgotten.

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

January 31, 2011

Hello my friend... I was just looking at the officer down memorial page and found myself so disheartened after reading that 14 police officers have died in the line of duty already this year, and it's still only January. What is this world coming to? When I was growing up I respected police officers, and was maybe even a little scared of them, after all, they seemed like giants and carried big guns. I didn't even know of the sacrifices they made for people they don't even know, nor did I know how much each and every one of them would do for another... You and all your brothers and sisters are such heroes, every day heroes that we don't even notice until its too late... The day you were murdered was a deeply sad day that will never be forgotten... I'm sure the 14 officers who have already sacrificed their lives this year will also be remembered like you. It's so sad that it took their life for the world to feel such sadness.

I was just telling a friend about you the other day, about your wonderful smile and caring heart. We sure miss you Tony, we will always miss you and we will never forget what that murderer did to you that horrific day. But mostly, we will never forget your smile, and your unconditional love for your job and the people whose lives you touched, like mine... R.I.P. xoxo

Shirl

January 25, 2011

Thank God there are men like Officer Zeppetella who stand between us and those who would destroy are way of live. My prayers go out to his family and someday his young son will understand that his father was a hero. As a retired police officer and father of two police officer I salute Officer Zeppetella.

capt craig l. dersa
dearborn hts, mi P.D.

January 4, 2011

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas
Wish you were here.

Anonymous

December 24, 2010

Tony,
I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

Anonymous

November 25, 2010

Tony- SD County lost another officer this week. I know you and Dan have welcomed him with open arms. Please keep watch on us from above and know you have not been forgotten down here.

Officer K. Wilson
Oceanside PD

October 30, 2010

Tony,I have stopped by the Paso Robles cemetery to pay my respect today
Your grave site looks very nice and well taken care off,
it sure stands out from the rest.
It shows how much your parents really care and love you.
RIP my friend

Anonymous

August 8, 2010

I came across your name among the many heroes at this site and I wanted to stop at your page and leave a reflection. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones and your those close to you and your family. You will never be forgotten as heroes never die. Thank you for being the hero that you are and your dedication to law enforcement and others.

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

July 29, 2010

rest easy Brother, we have the Watch

Policeman
Phoenix PD, Brother in Blue

July 29, 2010

I am sorry to say that I did not know of your tragic story until just a few minutes ago. Your in-laws left a reflection for my father who was killed on June 19th of this year. I am thankful that they did, because now I know of your story and it will not be forgotten. Thank you for your service.

Deputy Nick Ridings
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office, VA

July 8, 2010

I spent this July 4th weekend in Sacramento. I made a promise to myself one day you'd meet my family. As I walked up to the Officer Down Memorial my wife expressed her emotions. She stood behind the statue of a wife and child sitting on the bench together. I walked up to your name and said, "Tony these are my two kids, Giovanni and Laella. That's my wife Joella with Jaime and your son." I told them your story. As my daughter ran her fingers through your name engraved on the 2003 plaque I flashed back when I was at the Palomar Police academy and gave your son a Build-a-Bear. I've have kept my promise. I told you our families would hang out one day.

God Bless

Officer Vladimir A. Parra
Fountain Valley Police Department

July 7, 2010

AS I passed the cemterey in Paso Robles CA, not a day goes by that this officer who protected us from the dangers on our city streets in San Diego county, reminds me he did not die in vain. I used to live in San Diego county, but came home shortly after Officer Zeppetella was shot down in the line of duty. I have stopped by the Paso Robles CA cemterey to pay my respects, not just to Officer Zeppetella but to all of our uniformed officers that gave their lives for our safety. To his family, his wife always remember your husband is never forgotten. I may not have known him personally, but in my eyes and heart he was a true hero. May God be with him, as with his wife and son.
God Bless each of you for the sacifices you have made.
Always in our hearts never forgotten.

Anonymous

July 5, 2010

We are thinking of you and missing you so very much
You are in our hearts and you will never be forgotten

Anonymous

June 12, 2010

Tony, here we are at the anniversary of the day you became the hero for so many... of course, you were always a hero, as is all your brothers and sisters in law enforcement, we just forget to remember that every day! You've been on my mind a lot lately... Maybe because of the police memorial... people still ask about you, all these years later... we will never forget you, nor the sacrifice you made that awful day. Thanks to you and Danny for watching over the rest of us each day... we miss you... every day I think about you and how honored I am to have worked beside you... R.I.P. my friend...

Shirl
Tustin PD, Formerly Oceanside PD

June 12, 2010