Funeral, procession details for fallen Clay County Deputy Zirbel

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is inviting the community to pay their final respects to a deputy who died, following a crash while on motorcycle patrol.

12-year veteran Deputy Ben Zirbel spent days in critical condition, following the weekend crash. A truck pulled in to his path at Blanding and Camp Francis Johnson Road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, who's investigation continues. Zirbel leaves behind a wife and 8-year-old son.

CCSO says the procession will start around lunchtime Friday, in Jacksonville. The scheduled route is I-10 to I-295, exiting on to Blanding Blvd. south.  From Blanding it will make a left on Baxley Rd, then to County Road 220, then right on Henley Road.  While in Lake Abury, the process will turn left on to Sandridge Rd. and end at Russell Haven of Rest.

CCSO has not designated any specific area where the public should gather to pay their respects, while the procession moves through, but they say they would be honored by anyone who lines the roads. This will be the only procession.

The funeral will take place Saturday, with a church service at 1 PM at St. Luke’s Catholic Church on Blanding Blvd, in Middleburg. The funeral is open to the public, but seating is very limited. There will not be a viewing or graveside service.

CCSO says several partner agencies will be aiding the procession as well.

Zirbel is an organ and tissue donor, according to his wife, who says seven people are expected to benefit from his organs, and up to 100 people from his tissue. She is thanking the community for the support they’ve shown for the family through this time.

There are two accounts set up, if you would like to donate to Zirbel's family.