Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in Peace.....Even though I am resting here, be assured that I am not here, until you come to see me, Because I am in your life, heart,mind, and soul everyday.This is what i posted today as i reflected on you five years and i love you and miss you more than ever. mom

mother
mother

April 18, 2016

As another year passes, the memories never seem to fade. You were a great man, officer, comedian, training partner and friend. I miss texting you and you getting mad because you had to pay for each text you got on your phone, then becoming the biggest text offender, texting about everything after you got a new phone and plan. I miss you showing up to the gym with a bag of fast food before training and complaining about the moves you watched on youtube not always working.

My heart races every time I respond to a shots fired call, thinking about the tragic events that led to this post, but I know you are still with us by the pranks you play every time I visit you!

Thank You for being a great friend!

Sgt VanderKlok
KDPS

April 9, 2016

i have not met you but i am in the explorer post with you son hes amazing and he is growing i can see he have a passion for safety of people and safety of other i love to work with you son hes is a huge inspiration on my life thank you for you hard work.

explore trainy Mykeem Boykins
kdps explorer post

April 7, 2016

A few days ago, I was on I-94 near Kalamazoo and noticed the sign marking a portion of the freeway as the "Officer Eric Zapata Memorial Highway."

Rest easy brother, you are not forgotten.

Police Officer Arick Flesch
Detroit Police Department

June 29, 2015

EZ,

You are remembered every day. Prayers for your family, especially your kids.

Sgt.
Kalamazoo Dept. of Public Safety

June 20, 2015

I review this site amd see our fallen comrades, I think about how much you meant to our family (dept). You always had a smile and a great sense of humor, and Somewhat of a funny prankster. I recall being a new hire and having my uniform hanging up in station 45, going through PT and returning to find my badge upside down on my uniform (numerous times). Since you worked nights and was changing to go home as I started PT, and was know as a jokester, I had suspicions that it was you, however never asked. Also myslef along with other officers who found random pennies in their shoes regularly. Nonetheless, those are a few of the fond memories I remember of you in my two yrs of knowing and working with you. Peace and you are always thought of and forever missed.

Public Safety Officer Aaron Jackson
Kalamazoo PD

March 10, 2015

Always on my mind and always in our hearts.Your family has returned just like God said it would, believing in his faith and trusting in him we know you are here with us everyday and you are praying for us in heaven .

Connie Bernal
mother

February 15, 2015

EZ,

Always remembered! Keep watch over us.

Sgt. Mike Treu
Kalamazoo Dept. of Public Safety

November 13, 2014

Rest in Peace Officer Zapata. I will keep you in my prayers intentions today. I heard a homily awhile ago about how babies still in the womb of their mother I would like to share.
That baby is happy, safe, content, and very comfortable and when that baby is born the first thing they do is cry. Now the baby is crying because of the fear of the changes that just happened. The unknown events that just happened. Their whole world just changed and they do not know what happened. When that baby is lifted and comforted by their Mother and Father that baby feels the love and now is happy, safe, content and very comforted and the worries about the changes are now taken away by being welcomed into this world by their Mother and Father.
Just as in the beginning of your life here on earth as in the end of your life, You now know that at that moment when you took your last breath, Jesus and Mary were there with open arms to welcome you. So you are now happy, safe, content, loved and very comforted by a new life with your Father and Mother again. You will always live forever.
You now know what we will all know someday. The beginning of your life here on earth is in no comparison of the life in heaven.
After reading some of the reflections I felt the need to share my thoughts. I take comfort in knowing that life here with our families is never long enough, But our life with Jesus is eternal and will never end. We will all meet up again.

Jim O'Brien
Nephew of Officer Joe O'Brien EOW 12/24/1968

April 18, 2014

Dear son, The beginning of a new year so much happiness from your family, your daughter has returned with a husband a good man and a new son, Elijah Eric. Eric Anthony is graduating and done what you have asked him to do. Jacob of course is right on course and loves your sister just like you have. I have had surgery and Shorty is what you always thought of him..sweet.Been busy with memorials in your name. Rest in peace and thank you Eric for all your prayers and talks with God and the Angels.

connie bernal
mother

January 22, 2014

Dearest Eric, Today I wrote about you in my book- "Out of the darkness and into the blue." You will never be forgotten my brother.

Strength and Honor!
Officer Todd

PSO Todd Christensen
Kalamazoo Public Safety (retired)

January 14, 2014

EZ,

Remembering you on your birthday and every other day. Look out over your family, especially your new grandson!

Sgt. Mike Treu
Kalamazoo Dept. of Public Safety

November 19, 2013

my son, Michigan governor has names a highway in your name Eric Zapata memorial highway and the city of Kalamazoo made a status in your honor kalamazoo. I am now on the Mi-Cops as a board of trustee. Praying for you everyday and trying to live the life you did here on earth..giving and loving family and people.

parent conzuelo bernal
mother

October 20, 2013

The family is be reunited again. Praise the Lord. Alexis and James are now parents and have a son Elijah Eric and were great -grand parents. Praise the Lord

parent connie Bernal
mother

September 22, 2013

Miss you buddy.

PSO Todd Christensen
Kalamazoo DPS

April 17, 2013

It does not seem like it been two years but it has, I miss you just as much now as I did then, you and my son were a hot mess.
you served well and was a fair and just officer, you were a wonderful credit to your unit. It is an honor to know you.
rest in Gods loving arms my friend

Melissa Abraham,
criminal Justice Major

April 17, 2013

Rest in peace my brother, knowing that you served your country and communnity with pride and integrity. Today, and always, we remember your sacrifice.

Sergeant Barton
Garden City PD

April 9, 2013

EZ,

Just sitting here thinking about you...never, ever forgotten!!

Sgt. Mike Treu
Kalamazoo Dept. of Public Safety

February 27, 2013

Hey son, One more day and it will be Christmas eve. First time we had Christmas in December not January.Were playing the your children will come but for sure Jacob, April has been so good to us.Kdps gave gift to your children and it was very nice. I know you know what i want for Christmas but it will not happen and I know the other thing i want can only come from your new boss. The family reunited. You son, know the truth of the family and only you can share with God my headache. Your sister is a trooper and doing the best she can. Thank you for loving us and we will always love you and we will never forget you son.

zapata Connie
public saferty officer-mom

December 23, 2012

EZ,

Another Holiday season is upon us and we pray for you and your family. So many "normal" reasons to celebrate in a short period of time: your birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas. But your loss has changed how joyous this time should be. Now we have to celebrate your life and remember how lucky we are to have known you.

Lots of changes in the Dept. with the early retirements. I'm back to the road as are a number of other people. Keep watch out for us and help keep us safe from above!!

We miss you Eric and prayers for you and your family during this Holiday season.

Sgt. Mike Treu
KDPS

November 23, 2012

I will never let you go Eric. Happy birthday sweet Prince.

PSO Todd Christensen
Kalamazoo Public Safety

November 18, 2012

The birthday of a hero is a bittersweet day. A day filled with highs and lows of emotion. A day filled with remembrance of the sweetest baby boy. A day remembering the youngster filled with mirth and laughter. A day remembering a young man who represented his family and city with pride.

As every day, we think of our dear Eric today with pride for the man he became. But also with heartache for the hole that remains in our hearts and in our family.

Thinking of you today and praying that the wonderful memories of laughter that we shared will take the place of the heartache that you feel.

Happy birthday, dear Eric--we love you.

connie Bernal
mother

November 18, 2012

Son is is getting close to your birthday, November 18. Then Thanksgiving and Christmas. My greatest gift would be that the family is reunited. The love that you and Irene had was a gift from God and i hope to instill this in the family here on earth.Still coping with cuff and ladder and may you ask God for his help on this. Everyone in your department has been good to us. We love you and i know you know this.

connie bernal mother ada, michigan

November 5, 2012

Dear son. getting close for your birthday again November 18. The thanksgiving and Christmas. My biggest wish is that we can unite the family. So many untold story that are not even true.Bu i can and hold dear to my heart that you and Irene had a unconditional love and i can only hope for that with the grandchildren. Pray to God and help us. Still issues with cuff and ladder as you know. I pray for you and i love talking to you and i can still see your different expression of your face.

connie bernal
mother

November 5, 2012

EZ, I know it will be a year ago tonight that I received that call from Carpita telling me about losing you brother! My heart weighs heavy today! We all miss you every day! You will never be forgotten brother! A Hero Is NEVER FORGOTTEN!

Detective Nicole S. Caroffino # 116
KDPS/Palm Bay Police Department

April 18, 2012