San Francisco Police Department, California
End of Watch Saturday, April 10, 2004
Reflections for Police Officer Isaac Anthony Espinoza
DEAR DAD
I WANT TO WISH YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND TEll YOU THAT I LOVE YOU AND MOM DOES TOO
ISABELLA ESPINOZA
July 16, 2007
Time goes by and the pain lingers on. Today is your birthday and I miss you so and love you. Mom
July 16, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZAK!, BIG TIME IZE, CHOLO-1, REST IN PARADISE. 33 TODAY, BUT FOREVER IN OUR MEMORIES 29............
GMACK
July 16, 2007
One day, about a year ago, I was having a very rough start to my shift as a security officer with the San Diego Northern Railway. Earlier that week I had dealt with my first fatality where I actually happened to be on the train. Padres season was in full swing, I was working 60+ hours 6 days a week, and I wasn't getting much sleep. On top of it all things with my extended family were strained, and my girlfriend had just broken up with me. My head was just not in the right place and to top it all off my Captain and Lt. had some words with me before I went on patrol.
As I headed out to my patrol vehicle with my head hung low I realized I had forgotten my pens when I switched to a clean uniform. What else could go wrong? I may as well have forgotten my gun. But at least I have never forgotten my Isaac pin. Now back when I was in the academy it was stressed how important your look was and that you appeared professional. Even down to something as simple as your pens was a discussed issue. Some officers spring for an expensive set of Cross pens, and even as a class we decided to go with some nice looking Pilots that were about $1 each.
For some reason it always bothered me that one of the best pictures of Isaac, the one shown here, displays him looking beyond professional with his perfect obsessed over hair and down to every detail...except his pens. They're run-of-the-mill black Bic pens you can buy a 20 pack at Target for $3. Granted I'm sure Isaac figured they were much more practical and you don't mind losing them as we all often do. I just didn't get it though. I prided myself in keeping my uniform sharp and even wore my radio and other gear the same as Isaac. He was my roll model in every aspect but the pens. I still use my academy issue Pilots to this day.
However, here I am about to hit the streets to protect and serve without any writing utensils. I got upset that this was just adding to the slew of issues clouding my head till I remembered I always keep some sort of pen in my personal car. Surely I can find something to make due for the day. So I headed to the garage and started searching the various consoles and hiding places looking for something to write with.
I opened the center bin only do find a matching pair of black Bic pens. Immediately the picture of Isaac flashed into my head and I heard his laughter through my own. I had just gotten punked by my class hero. I looked up in the sky with a smile and tear of laughter, touched my Isaac pin and said, "Thanks bro, that was a good one."
J. Veraldi
Class 12 Grad
July 15, 2007
DEAR ISSAC, I WANTED TO WISH YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN HEAVEN, I KNOW ALL THE STARS WILL BE SHINING BRIGHT FOR YOU TONIGHT. IT WAS A BLESSED DAY YOU WERE BORN AMD TOO SHORT OF A LIFE WITH ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT LOVED YOU.MY FAMILY WISHES YOU ALL OUR LOVE AND NEVER FORGOTTEN. LOVE MARIAN KRISTEN DANNY AND I KNOW MIKE AND HIS FAMILY.
July 15, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISAAC, YOU ARE STILL MISSED AND THOUGHT OF EVERYDAY.
SONIA
July 15, 2007
hi issac,just reading your site again and always thinking of you. time goes by bfast but you are never forgotten. its such great news about your sister i know u would be so happy for her. your familt really needs this joy. i am going with some friends to the giants game in memory of all policeman and i went to the poa and saw your lounge in your honor and all your pictures. you are quite a great guy marian
marian
July 9, 2007
I love you my little nephew.
July 9, 2007
sorry it took me so long to realize this was you. I'm thinking of you and your sister often .
marijah
OLD HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATE
June 29, 2007
Just wanted to stop by and read your page. I can't believe it's been 3 years. It's just not possible. I know you are taking care of your parents, wife, daughter and sister. Keep them strong.
:)
June 27, 2007
Sorry I never told u all I wanted to say! There's just so much I wish I could say now. I miss the love we shared. I miss you!!!
June 22, 2007
Zak,
Father's Day was for you and Bella...I thought about you but couldn't think of anything to say that hasn't already been said. I'm just happy knowing Bella probably talks to you when she's in bed at night and gets an occasional look at you and that smile. Love you brother, remind us every now and again that you're here...PB.
PB
SFPD, Bayview MIDS
June 22, 2007
Isaac, Happy Father's Day! I remember how proud you were of Isabella. I remember sitting in the break room and you telling us how Isabella was cheering you on while you played softball. How everyone cheered "go Isaac, go Isaac" then suddenly Bella started cheering "go Isaac, go Isaac". You laughed so much! Your stories of fatherhood made all of smile and proud of you. Alright man, I miss you....
JM
SFPD
June 21, 2007
Happy Fathers Day, Isaac you are thought of every day. Always missing you.
Sonia
June 19, 2007
Thank You for all you've done! You're still remembered!
Happy Fathers Day! God Bless you and your family!
Ray Valeros
June 18, 2007
Tomorrow is Father's Day. I remember consistently what a great father you were to Isabella. I often think about the night she was born and how excited and happy you were anticipating her arrival. I love and miss you.
Mom
6/16/07
June 16, 2007
I found the chorus to the song Jesus Take the Wheel. I don't know why, but it sparked something for me with your passing...
Jesus, Take the Wheel
(Chorus)
Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
'Cause I can't do this on my own
I'm letting go
Give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel
May 25, 2007
I really thought of you this morning when I heard this song's lyrics...."Jesus take the wheel." I thought of all the hard times your parents and sister have gone through while coping with your loss. I just want them to know that sometimes you just have to let, Jesus take the wheel. Love you.
May 23, 2007
Today is May 15th, National Law Enforcement Memorial Day. I salute you on this day for your bravery, heroism and dedication to law enforcement. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones as I know they miss you each and every day. Their love for you will never end. You have not been forgotten.
Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
May 15, 2007
Isaac-
STILL, not a day goes by that your name does not run through my head. Thinking of a warrior and the man i want to be, your name constantly comes up. You continue to be a daily reminder of why we do what we do in this line of work. Long hours, mandatory overtime, never seeing your family. Yea, it sucks. But to have the opportunity to make a difference for the better in someone's life makes it all worth while. Like footprints in the sand, you have left a lasting impression in my heart and life. I live ever single day as though it was a cherished gift. It is a gut wrenching shame to me and i almost feel guilty that it takes something so extreme such as the loss of a brother to realize what life is TRULY all about. Someone told me a saying a few months ago, it goes "You cant get back yesterday". I live my life by this now. I dont put off till tomorrow what i can achieve today. I make efforts to Seize the day. Myself, being a very God fearing man knows that God can pull my name out of the hat any second. So i am trying to do it all now and pay my respects to you and all the other fallen brothers and sisters. Thank you for everything you have done for me and my career. Best way to put it is that YOU MOTIVATE ME....
Happy Mothers day to Isaacs Mom, Wife, Grandmother.
P.S
Isaac- Chargers are picked to WIN the superbowl. 49er's can watch it from home!!!
Deputy Dunn
San Diego County Sheriff's Dept.
May 12, 2007
HI Isaac,
Well we did it, we graduated another class... Off. Larry Lasater's class, Class 14, graduated last week.......
Throughout the graduation ceremony I had a perfect view of little Cody. The whole time I kept remembering Class 12's graduation and I remembered how you and your family were the INSPIRATION to start the Hall of Warriors. I remembered after your graduation playing with Miss Bella in the hallway and I just started to cry..... I looked at baby Cody and thought of Bella and Jakob Zeppetella and now Wyatt Bessant and I am sorry but it just wanted to make me rage. I would never doubt my faith in the Lord but I look at all these babies who were robbed of their fathers and it just leaves me defeated. It defeats me that parents have lost their pride and joys and that spouses have lost the loves of their lives. I am sorry to bring pain up again, but Isaac I just really needed to vent to you....... It always seems to help to write to you and purge all of these feelings and emmotions. It helps to be allowed to be a human being and cry until I can't cry anymore and then pick myself up and go home and hug my family and be thankful for them and thankful for the profession I have chosen. Thank you for being a friend who listens........
I have thought about the SFPD and I know that tomorrow is going to be so difficult with honoring 2 more fallen brothers. Please know that although I was not able to be at the Memorial this year physically, I will be there in spirit and you will be in my thoughts and prayers all day.
Thanks for letting me talk Brother..... I appreciate it!
R.AKANS #1354
ESPD/PCPA
May 3, 2007
Isaac,
I did not get to go to the Peace Officer Memorial again this year and I am saddened. My first trip to the Memorial was the year you were inducted and I was speechless to meet your family and I was in awe of the experience. It was also the year that our academy began its officer dedication and you were the honored officer. I remember distinctly how the white dove released in your name did not just fly away that day, but took a perch in the tree and watched things for a while. At the academy, it's how we like to think of you up there, watching over everyone and keeping an eye on things. We know that you are taking care of those who followed after you. A fellow officer who is in Sacramento honoring his fallen brother from OPD sent me a picture from there today and it hit home that this never gets easier. Trust that you will never be forgotten and know that you have touched a countless number of lives. Take care of our other brothers up there with you, especially Tony Z., Larry L., and Dan B. Your family is always in my prayers, especially tomorrow.
JB #375
EPD/PCPA
May 3, 2007
Zak,
Bless your family and friends for finding the strength to face that sick @!#% for the last three years and for writing letters to Judge Yaggy requesting life w/out parole. Sicko cried all the way to S.Q. and showed his true colors as a coward! I don't like to address him by name because he doesn't have one! Its all numbers now!
Anyways, we're honoring Birco and Tuvera on Thursday, see you there. Love and miss you brother in blue...rest now.
PB
SFPD, Bayview MIDS
May 1, 2007
My dear beloved son: Its been one week since the sentencing in our case. I am grateful for Court closure and for the maximum sentence allowable, Life in Prison Without Parole.
I saw a white convertible today and I imagined you in it. I could vividly see your handsome face, happy eyes and big joyful smile. I could feel the excitement of you. I felt warm and full of love for you and from you. Without Court on my mind I'm thinking of you more and I have more memories of you. I am thankful for our time on earth together and the joy you brought to me. Because you are not here and I am your mother, I will mourn for you until the day I die regardless of happy memories and happy days to come. Until we meet again.
Mom
April 28, 2007
Isaac, I cannot morn anymore for you. I miss you horribly, but I cannot morn anymore. From this day forward I will put a smile on my face when I think of you and I will remember all the times we had. I will talk about you and remember you that way, as though your were still here with us. I know this is the way to keep you alive, by telling stories of what you did, how you grew up, all your accomplishments. For so long I have thought that pictures were a way of keeping you close to me, but I now know Words will keep you alive. I love you.
April 24, 2007
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