Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Public Safety Officer

Eric Emiliano Zapata

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety — Kalamazoo, MI

Felonious

End of Watch April 18, 2011

Age 35

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

The Vigil Panel 160 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Officer Eric Zapata was shot and killed after responding to reports of shots fired call in the 1400 block of Hays Park Avenue.

Another officer had also responded to the call and approached a man standing on a porch. As the officer asked the man if he had heard any shots, the man suddenly pulled out a gun and exchanged shots with the officer.

The subject then ran between two houses, where he confronted Officer Zapata. More shots were exchanged, and Officer Zapata was struck in the head and chest. The man then committed suicide.

Officer Zapata had served with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety for ten years.

Survivors

He is survived by a daughter, two sons, his mother, father, sister, brother, and fiancé.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MI-65BFDA90
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Eric. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Public Safety Officer Zapata gave the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Michigan. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Public Safety Officer Zapata.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety

Location Kalamazoo, MI

Platform Identity kdps.kalamazoo.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 18, 2011

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

Age 35

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Rifle; SKS

Offender Committed suicide

Public Safety Officer Eric Emiliano Zapata is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

MI — Statewide

426

of 718 officers

59.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Eric Emiliano Zapata's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Eric Emiliano Zapata Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Committed suicide

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Eric Emiliano Zapata is highlighted in Apr.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Eric Emiliano Zapata was killed by rifle; sks.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518