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In Memory of Tony Zeppetella
 Officer Tony Zeppetella
had it all. He was dedicated to his new job, loved his God and family and had a wonderful sense of humor.
At funeral services for the young officer, gunned down so brutally, Chief Mike Poehlman recalled a story an OPD corporal had told him.
Tony was a member of the Department’s Baker-to-Vegas race team last year, but he also liked inexpensive meals. Before his race he had not one, but two 99-cent breakfasts. As he ran, Tony found both breakfasts coming back on him.
Later, he went to Cpl. Ruben Sandoval, the head of the running team, and told him he’d been contacted by a prestigious racing magazine that wanted to feature Tony. Ruben bought the line, at least until Tony hit him with, "Not!"
That was typical of Tony, who loved to grin and make other people smile.
"Tony had a unique gift and he never hesitated to make use of it. His sense of humor, his infectious grin, and his confident attitude are what endeared him to many people," Sgt. Lee Steitz said.
Tony, who was known to his buddies as "Zep", was born October 2, 1975, in Whittier and was raised in Paso Robles. He graduated from Paso Robles High School in June 1994. He enlisted in the United States Navy in August 1994. He served as a Fire Controlman, 2nd Class and as a work center supervisor, reaching the rank of E-5, Petty Officer 2nd Class. Before his discharge in July 2000, he attended Central Texas College.
After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Tony continued his education at the University of Phoenix from July 2000 to August 2001. He also worked as a personal trainer and nutrition counselor.
On May 13, 2002, Tony began his first day as a member of the 53rd Regional Police Academy and embarked on a course of instruction that would qualify him to serve the community as a police officer. He excelled in the Academy and during the graduation ceremony on October 29, 2002, he was honored with the Academy’s Physical Training Award.
At the swearing-in ceremony at the Police Department, his wife, Jamie, who was pregnant with their son Jakob at the time, pinned on his badge. Tony’s parents, Renate and Tony Sr., brother George and sister Renate also attended the ceremony.
He attended Patrol School and then was deployed to the field. He progressed through the Field Training Program on schedule, earning praise for his intelligence, work ethic,
fitness and sense of humor in each phase. He successfully completed his field training on April 12, 2003, and was assigned to his patrol team.
Two months later he was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop, the first Oceanside officer to die in the line of duty in 87 years.
At his funeral at New Venture Christian Fellowship, Chief Poehlman said, "Tony, you didn’t die in vain. For every life you touched, you made it better."
Tony physically left us on June 13, but in many ways he will always be with us. In the months to come, details about the incident that took Tony from us will be forthcoming. Once all the facts are known, it will be clear to all that Tony fought valiantly and did all that could be asked of him under the most difficult and trying of circumstances. Tony’s actions embodied the Department’s Core Values and the community is safer today because of him.
Tony Zeppetella will live on in those of us who knew and worked with him. His courage and dedication to duty serve as a beacon for us all to follow.
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