JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Nearly 300 people came out to the Harley-Davidson in Orange Park to help raise money to honor the memory of Ben Zirbel, a fallen Clay County deputy in Washington, D.C.
“He was one of our guys, our partner. He was part of the family,” says Jimmy Stalnaker, a Clay County sheriff's deputy.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office hosted the memorial ride for the fallen deputy to raise money to send their deputies to D.C.
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This May, Zirbel’s name will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial.
Action News Jax first told you in August of 2018 when Zirbel lost his life.
A Dodge Dakota hauling lawn equipment pulled out in front of his motorcycle, causing him to hit the side of the trailer.
RELATED: Friends of Clay County deputy critically hurt in a motorcycle crash speak
Zirbel was thrown from his bike and died two days later at the hospital.
While Clay County deputies lost one of their own, their goal right now is to raise $30,000 to help honor the deputy’s life.
“That will put a big dent in it, so I think we’re there or close to it,” said Stalnaker.
Glenn Morningstar is a former Jacksonville Sheriff's officer, and he rode with their motorcycle unit for almost 20 years. Although he didn’t know Zirbel, he wanted to ride with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office to support them.
“It’s not just about one unit. We’re all brothers from across the country,” said Morningstar.
He says he knows what it’s like to mourn a fallen officer.
“To lose a brother officer is extremely difficult, so it’s very important to try to get them to Washington so they can honor Deputy Zirbel when his name is put on the national wall,” said Morningstar.
The Sheriff’s Office says if you couldn’t make it out to the memorial ride, they are still accepting donations.
You can learn more at http://clayfop104.org/
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Cox Media Group