Tampa police are honoring fallen Master Patrol Officer Jesse Madsen by adding his name on the TPD helicopter. 

Madsen died in the line of duty early Tuesday morning when investigators say he turned his police vehicle into the path of a speeding wrong-way driver on I-275.

The Tampa Police aviation unit is making sure his legacy lives on forever, along with other officers who laid down their lives. 

“These men are the ones that have represented us throughout the years, and they have put their life on the line so that others can be safe and so that others can continue on with their life,” Chief Pilot Chris Shepherd said.

That’s what Officer Madsen did, and his bravery and courage will never be forgotten by the city and department he faithfully served.

Officer Madsen’s name will forever be etched on the tail of the Tampa Police helicopter.

“It’s an honor to be able to go up there and represent the significance of what this officer has done for us,” Officer Shepherd said. “We try to make this a true honor to fly for his funeral because of what he’s done to keep the rest of us safe.” 

With the new addition, Pilot Shepherd said he will fly the helicopter in a missing man formation over Officer Madsen’s funeral.

“One of the aircraft will pull up as if it was the officer was rising into heaven, and then there’s that missing void in the formation flight where there should be an officer,” Officer Shepherd explained.

Officer Madsen is the 32nd Tampa police officer to die in the line of duty – the first since 2010.

A memorial service for Officer Madsen is set for Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz.