Birth date: Aug 7, 1978 Death date: Aug 10, 2025
Mark Anthony Zapata August 7, 1978 – August 10, 2025 The Houston and Pearland community is mourning the loss of Mark Anthony Zapata, a respected Houston Police Department officer, loving father, devoted husband, and loyal friend, Read Obituary
Always made you feel like you mattered and he appreciated being your friend no matter how close you were. Happy to be a part of the FBINA 294 family with him.
Condolences for the family. I hope you’ll find some relief in knowing what a wonderful guy Mark was.
I met Mark at the FBI National Academy. We are FBINA 294 graduates. I’ll never forget his endless energy, big smile and his always present positive attitude. Mark had the gift to be liked by everybody and always gathered people around him with his smile and social talks. Mark was a truly great guy and will be truly missed!
Kim Moerman
Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (KMar)
The Netherlands
I would like to share my favorite Mark memory/story. He and I went deer hunting one time near George West with another friend of his and his little boy. We were going to have to sleep outside so I borrowed a tent from a friend. What we did not know was the tent was not in the best of conditions and could not uphold to the storm that ensued the first night. The rain was blowing into the tent and we were completely soaked including all the clothes we had brought. The 2nd night with all of our clothes still wet we were so cold we put on every article of clothing we brought. We were literally wearing 4-5 layers to try and stay warm. At some point in the night Mark and I decided body warmth was necessary for survival. Being the macho guys we were, neither of us was willing to be the little spoon so we agreed on back to back. Lol. I don’t know that it ever dawned on us to pack up and go get a motel room, we were just guys being guys and we were going to survive this thing on our own. I will always cherish the deer hunting trips, the drip river trip, the bbq lessons, the late night parties across the street, the Halloween parties, the Czhilispiel cookoff, so much more. I love you Mark, you are and will always be one of the good ones, you will be missed. RIP
I had the honor of working alongside Mark at Eastside and later in the Narcotics Division. From the very beginning, Mark stood out as a true leader—driven, dedicated, and relentless in his commitment to the job. He never quit, no matter how tough the challenge. Mark loved being a police officer, but above all else, he cherished being a devoted husband, father, and family man. His strength, loyalty, and compassion will never be forgotten. May Mark rest in peace, and may God speed him on his journey. My deepest condolences go out to Mark’s family and friends.
