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Eric Emiliano Zapata
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
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- 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.
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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Eric is the only officer of Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety remembered here.
Eric is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Eric is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Eric is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2011, 4 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 2011, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2011, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Eric was 35. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Eric had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Eric was 35. 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. Eric had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eric was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Eric had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 5.3% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Mondays: 14.9%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. The weapon recorded was rifle; sks, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; sks, 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 rifle; sks, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; sks, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw.