Master police Officer Howard Gimbel was killed Saturday (May 7) in an off-duty motorcycle accident. His wife was seriously injured and remains in the hospital.

TAMPA – The day after a Tampa police officer was killed in an off-duty motorcycle accident, his fellow officers announced that a GoFundMe site has been created to help pay for his daughter’s college expenses.

Master police Officer Howard Gimbel, 53, a member of the department’s motorcycle unit, died from injuries he received when his motorcycle was struck by an SUV. Hillsborough sheriff’s deputies, who are investigating the accident, said the driver told them she did not see the motorcycle Officer Gimbel was driving when she went into the intersection. Officer Gimbel and his wife were thrown from the motorcycle. His wife, Tonya, remained in Tampa General Hospital late Sunday afternoon in guarded condition.

“He was the guy you would call at 2 o’clock in the morning, and he would be there for you,” Corporal Greg Weekes said.

Weekes, who started his career at the Tampa department in 1996, the same year as Officer Gimbel,  spoke Sunday about his friend. Weekes also spoke about the way the news of the tragedy has affected all the officers who knew Officer Gimbel, who was known as a bulldog and a loyal friend.

“We’re hurting, but we have a job to do,” Weekes said.

The GoFundMe site will raise funds to help the Gimbels’ daughter, Sarah, pay for her college. Sarah, a graduating high school senior, has been accepted to the University of South Florida.

Weekes, Chief Eric Ward, and dozens of others from TPD immediately went to the hospital upon learning of the accident. Ward expressed the emotions of the Department on Saturday, saying that he wanted the Gimbel family to know that they will “always be a part of the Tampa Police Department family.”

Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.

For information about the college fund or to contribute, go to gofundme.com. More photographs are available at that site.

Tampa Police | Howard Gimbel | GoFundMe | Police Officer Killed | Hillsborough | TB Reporter

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