Honoring Officer Eric Zapata
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – We're learning more about the funeral plans for Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer Eric Zapata who was killed in the line of duty Monday night.
Visitation for Officer Zapata will begin Sunday, from 4:00 to 8:00 and Langeland Funeral Home. There will also be two visitation periods on Monday from 1:00 to 4:00 and again from 6:00 to 8:00.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday morning at 11:00 at Miller Auditorium on WMU's campus.
A high turnout is expected for the funeral, with some estimating that as many as 4,500 people could turn up at Miller Auditorium. Because so many people are expected, Miller Auditorium will likely be full. Overflow crowds will be seated in the neighboring theater.
Officials at WMU say that several parking lots in the area will be closed starting at 7:00 am Tuesday and will only be open to people arriving for the memorial service. Those lots are expected to reopen for normal campus use by 3:00 pm.
Officials are asking that all motorists not attending the memorial service avoid the area around Miller Auditorium, Lawson Ice Arena, Western Avenue, Van De Glessen Road, Stadium Drive and Howard Street between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm on Tuesday because of the high volume of traffic expected.
Public parking for those attending the service will be available in parking lot 76 off Knollwood Avenue, and at Kalamazoo Christian High School.
Outside a procession of hundreds of police cars will line up and follow a KDPS fire engine, which will carry the casket of the fallen officer.
That procession will make its way through the City of Kalamazoo, giving community members a chance to show their respect by lining the streets.
Some businesses in the area have already posted messages of remembrance and electronic billboards all around town carry the words 'strength, honor, courage.'
While all the Kalamazoo Public Safety cars will be at the memorial, officers from other departments will be on hand to help cover calls for service during the day.
