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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
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- 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fresno County Sheriff's Office has lost 15 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Erik is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Erik is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Erik is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 1 officer at Fresno County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2001, 7 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 2001, 158 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2001, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Erik was 26. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Fresno County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 46.8; the middle age was 39. Erik had served 4.5 years; the middle length of service was 5.3 years.
Erik was 26. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Erik had served 4.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Erik was 26. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Erik had served 4.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Erik was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Erik had served 4.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 16.7% of these deaths at Fresno County Sheriff's Office; October holds the most, 16.7%. Tuesdays: 33.3%.
August holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 12%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 15 deaths at Fresno County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.2% of these deaths.
His people
Fresno County Sheriff's Office has 15 officers remembered here, Erik among them.
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Joe Dodd Price
Mar 13, 1907
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John J. O'Leary
Mar 31, 1931
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William Harry Collins
Feb 25, 1937
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Richard Thomas Bain
Nov 16, 1961
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Harold Hurst
Oct 2, 1968
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David G. Graves
Nov 5, 1982
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Jeffrey Sean Isaac
Sep 8, 1997
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Erik Jon Telen
Aug 21, 2001
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Dennis Earl Phelps
May 20, 2002
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Joshua Clyde Lancaster
May 29, 2003
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Joel Brian Wahlenmaier
Feb 25, 2010
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Rod Barron Lucas
Oct 31, 2016
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Jose Cruz Mora
Sep 7, 2020
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Toamalama Scanlan
Oct 12, 2021
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Juan Cruz, Jr.
Nov 5, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Fresno County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
