ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The Clay County Sheriff’s Office kicked off a series of events on Monday to raise money to send the agency’s motor unit to Washington, DC to see Deputy Ben Zirbel’s name added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall.
Deputy Zirbel was hit and killed while riding his motorcycle on duty in August.
“Ben was a great guy, a family guy, very family-oriented,” Deputy Jimmy Stalnaker, who was Zirbel’s partner at the Sheriff’s Office, said. “He was just that guy [that] if you needed something, he was there for you.”
Stalnaker organized the “Shootin’ with the Sheriff” event at Saltwaters Shooting Club in St. Augustine Monday. Stalnaker hoped to raise about half of their $30,000 goal.
“It’s very important for us to be there to support him, his family and ourselves,” Stalnaker said.
The event brought together law enforcement, other first responders and civilians from Northeast Florida and across the state. Seventeen teams of four shooters rotated through 14 clay target shooting stations to see which team came out on top.
“We [in law enforcement] know what we sign up for,” Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels said. “And when we fall in the line of the duty then our comrades believe that it’s the highest honor to one, lay down your life for your friends, but also to have your name embossed in the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall.”
Each shotgun shell and each shattered target brings Deputy Zirbel’s comrades closer to their goal.
“That name is permanently etched in that wall, like it’s permanently etched in the wall at the Sheriff’s Office and in the hearts of his coworkers and family members,” Sheriff Daniels said. “His memory will never fade and that wall that’s in DC will ensure that his name is never forgotten.”
In addition to Monday’s event, there will be another fundraiser on Saturday, March 23. Stalnaker said anyone wanting to donate to the cause can also do so through the Clay County Fraternal Order of Police.