RIP Zadina!   You are missed daily!   I pray your family is blessed with awesome people around them to help them through the journey of life.    I know you are their guardian angel!   Love you buddy.  Z-POWER!  🙏 

This date is always going to be noted on my calendar because Michael was such a memorable man.  The world was a better place 
when he was here.

March was Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. A Wall of Champions was displayed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The wall  showcased the lives of relentless champions  from across the country. The organization Fight Colorectal goes to Washington each year to meet with lawmakers to fight for more research, more treatment options, and more awareness. Michael was one of many relentless champions honored this year. ❤️

Our marker finally arrived. Missing you every single day, babe. I love you now and forever.❤️ 
Tashia

My Dearest Michael, there isn’t a day since you left his life that I haven’t thought about you. There is no place your loss has not touched in my life. No words can fully describe the hollowness I feel in my heart and how life feels without YOU. I miss you so much. I truly loved you with all my heart. You let me be who I am from the very start. Memories of you are so precious and will be cherished forever. Our love was unique and special. To have found you, was to find my true love. The kind that poets write about, and romantic Hollywood movies are made of. The kind of love that stops you in your tracks and changes everything in the lives of ‘two lucky people’. We were the luckiest! Finding you was a realization my heart knew existed but had never experienced until we found each other. You were the ‘love of my life’, ‘my person.' We were soulmates. Michael, you taught me so much about life, love, and myself. You were the epitome of what it meant to live with courage in the face of the unknown. You were a natural. You showed compassion, kindness, and genuine brotherly love to everyone. I know how lucky I am to have married you. I am so honored that you chose me as your wife. I’m a better person for knowing you and loving you. The greatest gift is love. You have given me a lifetime of love. I love you now and forever. Rest my love, until we meet again. ❤️

Your loving wife, Tashia

Unfortunately I only had the pleasure of meeting Michael a couple times. But even with the short time I could tell he was an amazing person and the way he looked at life was so inspiring. I wish I could have gotten to know him better. I am so sorry his families loss❤️

Will be forever grateful for to you for taking care of my mother and showing her more love to her than anyone has before . Till we meet again ! -Monty 

I had the pleasure of coaching Mike in some kickboxing classes over the years. Mike didn’t know what it meant to take it easy. He was the definition of GO HARD OR GO HOME! If he was injured, tired, or out of breath, he still gave it everything he had. His determination was inspiring. Sometimes, I would have to pull him aside, to force him to take a breathe. If it had been a while since he’d attended, he’d want to prove to himself that he could push through. He would always give it as much he could until the end. Kicking bags over & all 😆

I will always remember his hard work & work ethic. It’s what I strive to be like. Be like MIKE! 

Michael's goal in this life was to leave a legacy of love, kindness, compassion, and giving to others. This, in life, he fully achieved. He also wanted to be a part of something that would flourish and grow long after he was gone. 

Today I planted a tree in memory of Michael. Some of his ashes were added to enrich the soil of his memory tree.  

6 weeks since he took his last breath. There has not been a day since that I haven't missed him. 💔

"With all that I have been through; all the hurt, all the pain, all the struggles that have come as a result of losing you;  I'm still forever grateful I had you."

Tough Mudder 2019 training with officer Mike who introduced us to one of his fav workouts: running laps with stairs in the Majestic Park. Years later we still use this park for training for our OCR and other running races. This place will always remind me of that  first training with Mike. 

Officer Mike was one of the founding members and great supporters of our studio and we will never forget his kindness and great energy.  His positive mindset and strength, even during difficult times, have been a great inspiration for many of us. This amazing fellow SouthBeast will forever stay in our minds and hearts. 

So proud! 

https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/metro-recruits-graduate-31-sworn-in-as-police-officers/



I had the pleasure of meeting Michael shortly after he and Latasha met.  Latashia was so happy and said many wonderful things about him . I was so eager to meet him.  One day he and Latashia kindly invited me to dinner to an Italian restaurant downtown.  I was sad about a relationship and he asked Latashia to ask me to join them for dinner. When I got to the restaurant and walked to the booth where they were sitting so happily.  He stood up  so grand and tall and greeted me with such a  warm smile, a heartfelt hug and a bouquet of flowers. It brought tears to my eyes and touched my heart. He hardly knew me and yet he welcomed me  and embraced me as if he knew me for years. I am so happy he and Latashia met. Two  of the most beautiful and  caring souls I have ever met found their way to each other to share the most amazing love experience they both so deserved. I will never forget the way they glowed that day.  Thank you Michael so much for allowing me the honor of meeting you and sharing dinner you, for your kind and encouraging words that day. I will forever cherish the genuine  love you expressed towards me and a million thanks for making my beautiful Latashia so happy. May you Rest In Peace. 

Michael saw me in my garage on a Saturday morning & I was wearing a Michigan Football Jersey.  He said “your team looked good today”.   I responded “we always look good when we play the unranked schools”…

He responded sarcastically, “Do you always wear other grown Mens Jersey’s as an adult?”

I replied, “Does Nebraska still have a Football Team?”

He laughed…. I said “I’m going to purchase a Tommy Frazier jersey for you one day”…

He said “I wouldn’t put another man’s jersey on my back”….

I laughed….

This past X-Mas I purchased him some Nebraska Team Gear….

A few weeks later he bought my Boys some Michigan Team Shirts, which my Son Henry wore on his last day of kindergarten…

Michael receiving his Distinguished Recruit award.

Michael had an innate ability to connect with people. He made everyone feel good about themselves. During conversations, he made you feel important and he was genuinely interested in you as a person. He was incredibly unselfish, smart, & giving. He was confident yet humble, and always positive, never complaining even though he had plenty of reason to.  When diagnosed, he remained positive & fought to the end.  Even when he was sick, he showed care and concern for those who were experiencing their own personal traumas. I've met very few people with Michael's character. He was an example of the type of person we should all strive to become. Whether intended or known, he taught me lessons I'll take with me throughout the remainder of my life. 

These are pictures from Michael's first inspection in the LVMPD Police Academy. The first inspection is a day no officer will ever forget. It's one of their first challenges in the academy & each recruit's knowledge, bearing, and character are tested. Michael was not only successful in his first inspection, but he was incredibly successful in the academy. He was chosen as his class's Distinguished Graduate which goes to the one recruit who has demonstrated excellence in leadership, teamwork, and overall general academics. The Distinguished Graduate is the one recruit who best epitomizes the values we expect in our officers. This award is voted on by the recruits and approved by the academy staff. Receiving this award was recognition that Michael was respected by both his peers and his supervisors.  He made an impact on all of us, recruits and staff, and he will never be forgotten.

Michael with his TAC Officer, James Wirey.  They became friends!

We have all been blessed with precious memories, witness love like most never experience and a strength and beauty for life under the hardest of circumstances.
Michael, love you my precious friend…,you set me straight, you offered advice, you were always a friend and taught me many lessons and you shared your beautiful Latashia and family ❤️
My deepest condolences Latashia and family 🙏
May Michael’s pain be no longer and may we rest easier knowing Michael is watching over and is resting easy and in love.
Until we meet again Michael.,,,,,

It was an honor meeting Michael during my 40th birthday celebration. I realized why LATASHIA was smiling differently during the past 17 years that I’ve known her, it was because of Michael.  I was so happy that you guys found each other. I witnessed your marriage virtually and was cheering for you both every step of the way. No more pain and suffering, Michael. Rest In Peace. 

My dearest Michael,  it has been my honor to love you and walk by your side.  From the moment you came into my life, I knew you were extraordinary. You taught me so much about life and love. I am a better person for knowing and loving you. You have been one of my greatest teachers and no doubt the love of my life. I miss you so much. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. I will continue to carry our love in my heart. Until we meet again... I love you, babe. ❤️ 

Michael Zadina was my mentor for the majority of my professional career and was a fiercely loyal friend. He always had a positive attitude, a ton of wisdom, and the heartiest laugh in the room. I’ve known Michael for nearly 18 years and am still struggling to accept that i will never have the opportunity to see him again. 

When I was getting divorced, Michael showed up to help me move even though I told him  I had hired movers. He still wanted to help his friend. That act of genuine kindness and friendship will always serve as a guide for how I treat my friends. As a father, his dedication to being a father was inspired. I am a better man because of Michael. 

I’ll always carry your memory with me, my friend. Hope you’re at peace. Until we meet again.

Two things I will always remember about Mike is while others made fun of me in junior and senior high, Mike never did and always treated me with respect. . Second on the morning of our high school graduation at baccalaureate service our principal said graduation would me moved to our arch rival due to light rain. Mike and I looked at each other and immediately asked our principal if we could postpone graduation for a week due to having the pride in our school and not wanting to graduate at our arch rival. We knew the answer would be no so we did the next best thing. We lead a  charge for all seniors to buy silly string so we could leave our mark on the other school. Mike you will be missed

Seems like it was just yesterday we were driving together to and from the academy. Along with all the times we practiced for our academy tests both at your apartment and your parents place. Wish I could’ve said goodbye in person. But it never truly is goodbye, so instead I’ll say see you later. Miss you brother. “Last Recruit Last Row”.

Latasha, this is Angellia I am sorry for your loss. Sending prayers and my deepest condolences 💐. 

Michael was always game for the office ugly Christmas sweater party! 

I knew Mike for just shy of 22 years. When I arrived at the U.S. District Court, he was my trainer. We became fast friends and, over the years, became very close. 

There was a period in my life where my wife was between jobs for an extended period of time. Things were rough. The holidays were coming and it was looking bleak. Christmas means so much to my wife in particular, and Mike knew it. Mike called and asked if he could come by. When he arrived he'd brought a big Christmas tree with him. 

Our happiness was so important to Mike that he went to the time, effort, and expense to give us some light when things were dark. This is one of many many many examples of the man Mike was, of his heart and his character. It's impossible to capture it all in a few words. I'm proud to have called Mike Zadina my friend. He showed me every day the best of humanity, and I will live the rest of my days trying to follow his lead. Love you, Z. - Jeff

This is but the smallest sample of the man that Mike was. His heart and generosity was 

So deeply sorry for your loss Tashia. Even though we didn’t meet Michael,  he seemed like a really great guy, husband, father & friend. Condolences to the rest of the family and may our Lord Jesus comfort and ease the pain & loss of your husband. With sympathy, Judy and Tom Acosta 

It has been and it still is my extreme honor and privilege to be Michael’s end-of-life Doula. After spending 110 days with Michael and his lovely bride, Taisha and of course the beautiful children Zoe, Nolan and their stepsister Faith, I have witnessed true family love and dedication. Michael was a brave man and for the sake of his family he planned his  post transition leaving no uncertainty for his wife and family to wrestle with. 
MICHAEL shared his heart with me and his true personal feelings and beliefs. Michael was my 33rd person/family to Doula. He was the absolute strongest and steadfast in my entire experience of caring for the dying. In my book, he is a hero and protected his family to the very end. He was fully prepared. 
 With admiration, sympathy, love, compassion and profound respect, Marianne Phoenix

OBITUARY

Michael Joseph Zadina

October 20, 1976 – August 27, 2022

Palm Northwest Mortuary & Cemetery

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