Clay County Sheriff’s Office plans to honor life of Deputy Ben Zirbel with wreath-laying ceremony

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office will honor a fallen deputy next week with a wreath-laying ceremony.

Monday is the one-year anniversary of a crash involving Deputy Ben Zirbel, who died two days later in the hospital. The Sheriff's Office says he is remembered as a fun-loving man who was always willing to help others.

“Ben’s crash was a very tragic, very hurtful event with us,” says Deputy Jimmy Stalnaker.

Stalnaker works in the Sheriff's Office motor unit, the same unit that Zirbel was a part of. He says the anniversary of Zirbel’s death is a reminder to everyone in the area that two seconds can change someone’s life forever.

“He was one of our guys,” Zirbel says. “We’ve always said we’re a close-knit family, but when you work with somebody every day, that’s even closer.”

The driver of the vehicle that drove into Zirbel’s path was cited this week for failing to yield to oncoming traffic or a vehicle passing on the left when making a left turn, according to court records.

The ceremony will be an intimate occasion attended by members of the Sheriff’s Office and Zirbel’s family.