Trending Topics

Texas civilian response team member returns to duty months after being shot in the eye with pellet gun

Fort Worth Civilian Response Unit Specialist Edward Zapata, who was not armed with a gun, was struck by pellets on his face and eye as he ushered a bystander to safety

By Mary Ella Hastings
Fort Worth Star-Telegram

FORT WORTH, Texas — A Fort Worth civilian police employee injured in the line of duty in April has returned to work, according to the Fort Worth Police Department.

Civilian Response Unit Specialist and Marine Corps veteran Edward Zapata was shot in the eye while responding to a robbery call.

Now three months later, he is back taking service calls and serving the public.

“We are inspired by Zapata’s determination and commitment, and we are thrilled to have him back out there!” the department said in a statement.

He was welcomed back by his colleagues with a surprise party at the North Division, and he was given a quilt from Quilts for Cops.

Quilts for Cops gives quilts to police officers injured in the line of duty, according to the Fort Worth Police Department.

Trending
The Protection Against Mass Surveillance Act would also prohibit state and local governments from purchasing ALPR, facial recognition and other systems with federal funds
The Michigan Supreme Court also ruled that “the smell of marijuana is not enough” to establish probable cause that there is a criminal amount of marijuana present
“Some people say cops are heroes, but even we need a little helping hand,” the Jonesboro PD stated in a post sharing traffic camera footage of the superhero rescue
North Las Vegas officers responded to reports that the man was kicking doors and firing a gun at random; the man died following the arrest

©2026 Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Visit star-telegram.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Company News
Built around the theme “50 States. One Legacy,” the collection pays tribute to the diverse outdoor heritage that has shaped generations of American hunters, sportsmen, and conservationists