TAMPA, Fla. — On Tuesday, Tampa police held a memorial service to pay tribute to Officer Jesse Madsen. The 16-year veteran of the force was killed exactly one year ago when he veered his police cruiser into a wrong-way driver on I-275.
“It’s very difficult. I mean, Jesse was in the prime of his life. A young father. A husband, you know, just trying to go home at the end of his shift after selflessly serving the citizens,” said newly-appointed Police Chief Mary O’Connor. “And he didn’t make it home.”
In addition to fellow officers and dignitaries, Madsen’s family was also on hand, including his widow Danyelle and one of their three children.
“It’s difficult times. You know, I speak with Danyelle quite frequently,” said former Police Chief Brian Dugan, who had the gut-wrenching responsibility of delivering the bad news that night.
“This happened under my watch,” said Dugan, “And I will always look out for her and her family.”
Madsen had always been heroic. He was a recipient of TPD’s lifesaving award nine times. Since his death, the stretch of I-275 where the 45-year-old sacrificed his own life has been renamed the Jesse Madsen Memorial Highway.
“For someone to make a split-second decision and put his life on the line like he did is just simply amazing,” said Dugan. “And we need more people in this world that aren’t afraid to make those types of decisions.”
In addition to his years of service with the Tampa Police Department, Officer Madsen was a U.S. Marine, a U.S. Army veteran, and served two combat tours in El Salvador and Afghanistan.
Madsen became the 32nd Tampa police officer killed in the line of duty.
Officer Michael Strom, Madsen’s friend and former partner, says Madsen’s death has brought the department and the community closer together.
“Absolute hero,” said officer Strom. “If he had to pass away that’s how he would want to do it. It was his terms. His way. Being a hero. Saving lives.”