Motorcade planned before Zirbel service Sunday afternoon

Press Staff Report

Area law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services agencies will be joining in a motorcade Sunday afternoon to honor the memory of a former Charles City man who was a Florida deputy killed in an on-duty traffic accident.

A celebration of life service will be held beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Charles City Elks Lodge for Ben Zirbel, who was a deputy with the Clay County Sheriff’s Department in Middleburg, Florida.

The motorcade will begin about 12:45 p.m. at the Kmart on North Grand Street and proceed to the Elks Lodge on Clark Street.

According to a post on the Charles City Police Department Facebook page, people are urged to show their support and respect for Zirbel and his family by standing along the route.

Zirbel, a 12-year Clay County Sheriff’s Office veteran, was fatally injured when his police motorcycle struck a trailer being pulled by a truck that turned in front of him, said a Sheriff’s Office spokesman. He died Aug. 21.

Zirbel is the son of Jim Zirbel of Charles City, a former Charles City police chief. Ben Zirbel and his wife, Anna, are both graduates of Charles City High School, and have an 8-year-old son, Ethan. Anna is the daughter of Rick McDonald, owner of Jackson Street Press in Charles City.

The celebration of life at the Elks Lodge Sunday afternoon will be casual dress with time to share memories and stories about Zirbel, according to information from the family.

Burial will take place in Charles City.