Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Erik Telen was shot and killed investigating a burglary call at a home near Dunlap at approximately 7:00 pm.
Neighbors of the home had called deputies after they were confronted by a suspicious man who threatened them and then walked towards the house. Contact was made with relatives of the home's owner who stated the owners were out of town. When the deputies arrived they located an open window. They entered the house in an attempt to locate the suspect and as they entered a hallway, the heavily armed suspect opened fire, fatally wounding Deputy Telen.
The second deputy retreated and called for backup. Responding deputies were able to get Deputy Telen out of the home and transport him to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The suspect was apprehended after a five-hour standoff.
The suspect was sentenced to life in prison on October 20, 2008.
Deputy Telen had served with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office for 18 months and had previously served three years with the Ontario, California, Police Department. He was survived by his expectant wife and two young daughters. Deputy Telen's son was born on October 1st, 2001, and named after his father.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and two young daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-D06A6218- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Telen gave the Fresno County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fresno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Telen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Erik Jon Telen is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Fresno County Sheriff's Office, 6 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Erik Jon Telen's cause is highlighted.
How Erik Jon Telen Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Erik Jon Telen is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Erik Jon Telen was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Fresno County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
