Zapata remembered as brave, fallen hero

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - Among the most touching moments of Officer Eric Zapata's funeral was the traditional final police call, which echoed throughout a packed Miller Auditorium.

"Lincoln 2 radio, Lincoln 2 -- go ahead for radio ... Lincoln 2 radio, raise Baker 22 for me."

Hundreds of police officers, from as far away as Canada and Florida, paid tribute to Zapata -- the first Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officer to die in the line of duty. Nearly 4,000 mourners attended the funeral on the campus of Western Michigan University.

Zapata was shot to death April 18 by a man who later turned the gun on himself. Zapata, 35, was a 10-year veteran of the force and is survived by a fiancee and three children. He grew up in Lake Odessa.

Zapata was shot while trying to help another officer under heavy gunfire, in the Edison neighborhood.

"To be sure, we've cried many tears since Eric's life was taken from us by the forces of evil in that dark, cold and wet alley," said Ken Collard, the Kalamazoo City Manager. "But there's a story to be told; a story of a fallen hero."

In a Catholic mass and ceremony that lasted nearly three hours, Zapata was honored not only for his bravery, but for being a father, brother and son.

"To Adolfo, Connie, Alexis, Eric, Jacob, Irene and the rest of the Zapata family, I say this: You are forever part of our family," said Chief Jeff Hadley, of the Public Safety Department. "Whatever you need -- any time, any place, any where, we are here for you."

The ceremony blended Zapata's service to Kalamazoo and his faith.

And beyond the heroism, there was a lighter side of Zapata, including this from his uncle as he peered out into the auditorium filled with officers: "I'll tell you what. Growing up, if me and Eric seen this many cops, we'd have been running."

Fellow officers, who knew Zapata as EZ, will remember the pranks.

"EZ became the biggest offender for this, and he'd make it a point to take pictures of you in awkward poses and constantly send them to you," Sgt. Chad VanderKlok said. "He would Photoshop them to make them even more ridiculous."

"Radio to 22, Radio to 22. Radio to Baker 22, Officer Zapata, on the police channel for Lincoln 2.

"Radio to Lincoln 2 -- Lincoln 2 ... Lincoln 2, I'm unable to raise Baker 22."

The ceremony offered tributes from the city manager, Hadley and Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell.

"This is a brotherhood that is always prepared to respond when the alarm is sounded," Hopewell said. "When the
bells hit, you run into the tragedy, into the trouble, into the fire -- while the rest of us are running away, into the fire."

"Lincoln 2, radio time check, please. ... Lincoln 2, the time is 23:28 hours. The date is April 18, 2011."

That's the exact time and date Zapata died in the alley.

"Eric died doing absolutely (what he) loved to do -- serving as an officer of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety," Hadley said.

"Lincoln 2 radio, take Baker 22 off the watch. Lincoln 2, Baker 22, Officer Eric Zapata is off the watch.

"Kalamazoo Public Safety honors the service and sacrifice of Public Safety Officer Eric Zapata. On his final call, Officer Zapata, displaying the highest standards of his profession, rushed bravely toward the sound of gunfire, in order to aid a fellow officer. In doing so, Officer Zapata gave the full and final measure of devotion. On behalf of another, he made the ultimate sacrifice -- the sacrifice of his own life. May his example of selfless courage be an inspiration to each of us. May we find hope in his valor, may he rest in peace, and in glory in the company of those who have gone before him."

"Officer Eric Zapata, employee number 11611 is off duty for the final time. At 23:28 hours, on Monday, April 18, 2011, Godspeed, Eric."

Zapata's burial is set for Wednesday in Lake Odessa.