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Benjamin LeMont Zirbel
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ben Zirbel succumbed to injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash two days earlier at the intersection of Blanding Boulevard and Camp Francis Johnson Road.
He was traveling southbound on Blanding Boulevard when a pickup truck towing a trailer turned left in front of him. Deputy Zirbel was unable to avoid the vehicle and collided with the trailer. He was thrown from his department motorcycle and suffered serious injuries. He remained on life support until his organs could be donated.
Deputy Zirbel had served with the Clay County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Zirbel gave the Clay County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Green Cove Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Zirbel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Clay County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Benjamin is one of 314 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.2% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2018, 5 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 14th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 2018, 50 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2018, 52 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 101st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Benjamin was 40. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35. Benjamin had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Benjamin was 40. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Benjamin had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Benjamin was 40. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Benjamin had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Tuesdays: 12.4%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 22.2% of all 9 deaths at Clay County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.2% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Clay County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Benjamin among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Clay County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
