Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police Officer Tina Frances Zapata-Kerbrat

Los Angeles Police Department, California

End of Watch Monday, February 11, 1991

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Reflections for Police Officer Tina Frances Zapata-Kerbrat

Tina,

Many years have passed since that morning I heard of your death, in disbelief. What I remember is you working hard and seeing you at training days for North Hollywood division. You had a wonderful smile that your loved ones must have missed all these years. I pray that they are all taken care of.

I did not know about this website until I lost a very dear friend Dan Niemi while working at San Leandro Police Dept. Than I looked up your name here. You are in a better place than we are. Thank you for your service and it was an honor to have worked with you.

Ex LAPD PII, Mario A Marez

November 25, 2007

"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

September 17, 2007

My thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Kerbrat. Rest in peace.
Heros are never forgotten.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia

June 12, 2007

Remembering you and your family today.

Susan Brondell
Niece of Officer Christy Hamilton (EOW 2/22/94)

May 15, 2007

In memory of a true hero...
Tina you were a true hero before my time on this job. You gave it your best and you were an awesome example of the true committment it takes in law enforcement.
Your family deeply loved you and they will be in my prayers.
There is a thin blue,green and tan line that makes us all one. There are no jurisdictions when it comes to law enforcement. Your loss was a tragic one and I thank you for your commitment and service.

Police Officer Louis Lave
Los Angeles County Police Department

March 11, 2007

Thinking of you and your family this day.


Maryland Citizen

February 11, 2007

You are not forgotten.

Former Police Officer
District Heights, Maryland

February 11, 2007

God bless you and your family. May your spirit and memories guide them through the tough times.

DFC. Daniel O'Donnell
Orange County Sheriff's Office (FL)

January 17, 2007

Tina (Grandma),

It's been over 15 years since your passing, and I think of you often. No one worked as hard as you did in the academy; both mentally and physically. I'll always admire how you never quit during those greuling PT sessions, and then had a big smile afterwards. This past summer I visited Washington DC, where I made special trip to see your name engraved name on the Police Memorial.

Rest in Peace!

Phil Ybarra, Sgt.
LAPD
Class 4-90

Sergeant
LAPD

September 10, 2006

Tina:
Looking down upon us, You already know that I was given the uneviable task of investigating Your murder for the State, regarding officer survival. I had been assigned several other investigations, and I chose to save Yours for last. It proved to be a big mistake - I had a very difficult time completing Your study, and almost missed my deadline due date. In fact, to this day, no other investigation has ever been as traumatic for me ( sigh ).

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

August 16, 2006

Tina's graduation photograph is exactly how I remember her-the always energetic, never down, always enthusiastic recruit officer! Tina: Your memory lives on! Semper Fi, M. B. P.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC/LAPD

August 14, 2006

Tina, I only knew you for a few months, But I will always
remember your beautiful smile,( Just like in your photo ).
You seemed to be so happy to be a police officer, your
enthusiam was contagious.
I was retired only 4 days when I learned of your death, it
was so sad.
Be with the angels,
Ron Oliver

Ofc Ron Oliver 12677
L.A.P.D. Retired

June 29, 2006

Officer Kerbrat I was just looking at the tributes on the NLEOF web. Your mom had left you a message for mothers day. It struck me when reading that you are buried by your father. My son as well fell in the line of duty and is by his grandfater. He was on the force 7 months.

I just wanted to say thank you for your duty, sacriface and courage. A job well done and you will not be forgotten. May God bless all your family and friends and the officers in blue at the LAPD.

Respectfully
Debra Hickman, Mother of
Cole Martin 4/25/03

June 7, 2006

Rest in Peace

Deputy Sheriff
SMSO Louisiana

May 23, 2006

R.I.P.


S

May 23, 2006

Officer Kerbrat, it's been 15 years now since that tragic day you were taken from us all. There is not one day that goes by that you are not thought of. You have done a great job protecting us from heaven, thank you.

To your family, God Bless you and give you strength every day.

Police Officer L. Garcia
Los Angeles Police Department

March 26, 2006

I just heard the song "Wind Beneath My Wings" and every time I hear it, I think of you. We worked together at Pitney Bowes and you were going through the process of getting accepted into the Academy. You were so excited about the prospect. One day you shared with me a conversation you had during an interview. You told me that you were asked how your husband would manage if you were killed in the line of duty. You responded that he was a wonderful husband and father and that he would take excellent care of your children. When I heard you were killed, that was the first thing I thought about. How ironic. I can still see you standing in front of me.....I have thought about you and your family throughout the years and pray they are doing well.

Dawn Harrison
Former co-worker

March 22, 2006

TINA, WITH YOUR BIRTHDAY AND THE ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR DEATH COMING UP, I WANTED TO SAY REST IN PEACE.
DONATIONS TO THE LOS ANGLELES POLICE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION HAVE BEEN MADE TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN WITH THEIR COLLEGE EDUCATIONS.

PATROLMAN J. PICO
SGPD, NJ

February 1, 2006

Although your time was short as an officer, you made a difference!! Thank you. Continue to watch over your children and fellow officers.
Rest in peace.

Officer
Maryland

January 21, 2006

Tina,
We never met and though I have heard of your sacrifice along time ago from Elain, I just recently learned the details of that fateful night. You see, Elain is my sister in law. So we are related not only through the badge on our uniform but also by marraige. Your sister and her family just spent the past week visiting me, and my family here in Utah. You would be proud of your sister and your neices and nephews. I know that they miss having you here with them. I know that you will continue looking out for them as you looked out for the people of Los Angeles. We here will continue the watch on the thin blue line and me and my crew will dedicate our watch this week to you.

Sgt. R. O'Hara
BYU PD

December 31, 2005

Tina,

I never met you until that fateful night and then you were already taken to heaven. I have worn your memorial band for all these years and think of you often. I was just thinking about you today and wanted you to know I will never forget you. You gave it all. God bless you Tina.

D-III Susan Brumagin
LAPD

November 21, 2005

Tina,
We think about you often and remember with gratitude just what you sacrificed in service. You are forever in our hearts.

Det Diane Webb , Captain Richard Webb
Los Angeles Police Department

November 16, 2005

Deat Tina, it has been 15-years since we lost you. Not a day goes by that I dont reflect on the sacrifice you made. You were a great classmate and friend. I draw strength from your memory and pray your family is doing well. You made the ultimate sacrifice shortly after we graduated from the Police Academy and I feel that you have been the inner strength that has seen your classmates through a tought and dangerious Career. We miss you Tina.... Your Classmate and friend Warren.

Detective Warren Porche
Los Angeles Police Department

November 16, 2005

God bless you and keep you always. You are a true hero and you will never be forgotten for your sacrifice.

DE
St. Louis City Police

September 3, 2005

"Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called the Children of God". Tina you will alway be remembered.

Deputy J. Mamon
San Bernardino County Sheriff

August 18, 2005

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