Officer Eric A. Zelms, San Francisco Police Department, California

Officer Eric A. Zelms

San Francisco Police Department, California

End of Watch Thursday, January 1, 1970

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Eric A. Zelms

Officer Eric Zelms was shot and killed while investigating a burglary at 132 Jones Street in San Francisco while on foot patrol at approximately 2:00 a.m.

He was surprised by two burglars, who attacked him and were able to gain control of his .357 caliber service revolver. The men then shot him with it and attempted to flee.

The subject then encountered two other officers and exchanged shots. One of the men was wounded. Both were apprehended, convicted of the murder, and subsequently sentenced to eight to 10 years.

Officer Zelms had served with the San Francisco Police Department for less than one year. He was survived by his wife and one child.

Bio

Age 22
Tour 11 months
Badge 1348

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Both sentenced 8 - 10 years

foot patrol, robbery

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My dad, Jim Shannon, was career SFPD. We lived near Douglass Playground and I remember when Eric came to our house to ask my dad questions about joining the Force… We saw Eric near St Philip’s in uniform the day before he was killed on his way to work. He stopped to say hi to my dad. The next day news devastated everyone in the neighborhood. My parents were crushed. RIP ERIC ZELMS

RADM Jim Shannon USN (Ret)
Douglass Playground neighbor

November 27, 2024