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Donation fund created for Tampa officer killed when he veered into wrong-way driver to save lives, chief says

Master Patrol Officer Jesse Madsen leaves behind a wife and three kids.

TAMPA, Fla — A donation fund has been created to help the family of Tampa Police Master Patrol Officer Jesse Madsen.

The Tampa Police Department says Rise Tampa has set up a few options for those who want to donate. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will be given to Madsen's family, according to a press release. 

Those who want to donate in person can do so at any Bank of Tampa branch in Madsen's name. If you'd prefer to make a donation electronically the police department says you can do so by going online here or sending funds to Venmo at @risetampa or PayPal at paypal.me/risetampa.

Anyone looking to mail in a donation by check or money order will need to send it to the following address: 

RISE Tampa

i/c/o MPO Madsen

PO Box 172816

Tampa, FL 33672

The "highly decorated" officer was killed in a wrong-way crash on I-275 early Tuesday morning. Chief Brian Dugan said Madsen died trying to protect others, adding that data from both cars are consistent with Madsen "purposefully placing his vehicle in front of [the wrong-way driver.]"

"Officer Madsen is a true American hero. He deliberately moved his patrol car into the other driver's path of travel. We believe Jesse Madsen was attempting to stop this wrong-way driver from putting anyone else's life in danger. And laying down his own," Dugan said.

Madsen had been with the Tampa Police Department for 16 years. Dugan said he was a decorated police officer and a seven-time recipient of police life-saving awards.  

"When you look at someone who's earned seven life-saving awards, it's no surprise that he would take such swift action and do this," Dugan said.

The other driver was 25-year-old Joshua Montague of Colorado. Montague was also killed in the crash, Dugan said.

The Tampa Police Department said Officer Madsen was a guardian of the city and will never be forgotten.

 He leaves behind a wife and three kids. 

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