Friends Rally For Family Of Tampa Cop Killed In Crash

TAMPA, FL — One day after a motorcycle crash claimed the life of Tampa Police Master Officer Howard Gimbel, one of his closest colleague’s spoke about his friend and the loss.

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

Gimbel’s Saturday night death is taking its toll on those who knew him, Weekes said. “We’re hurting, but we have a job to do.”

One of those jobs, Weekes said, is to honor Gimbel’s memory by helping his daughter, Sarah, offset college expenses. Sarah is a graduating senior with plans to attend the University of South Florida this fall. To help cover her costs, a GoFundMe account has been established in her name, Weekes said. The goal is to raise $50,000.

Gimbel, 53, was killed in a Friday night crash on Big Bend Road.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, a 2011 Cadillac SUV driven by Lisa Denis Allen, 46, of Riverview was heading south on Clement Pride Boulevard around 5:30 p.m. Allen stopped at the intersection of Big Bend Road to wait for traffic to clear. When she entered the intersection, Allen “failed to observe a 2006 Honda Goldwing traveling east on Big Bend Road at approximately 45 mph,” an email from the sheriff’s office said.

Allen struck the motorcycle with the SUV’s front, forcing it off the road. Gimbel, who was off-duty at the time, was riding with his wife Tonya, 52, as passenger.

Howard Gimbel was taken to St. Joseph’s South, where he later died. Tonya was transported to Tampa General Hospital in guarded condition. She remained hospitalized Sunday, the sheriff’s office said.

Allen, deputies noted, gave a voluntary blood sample, “but there is no reason to believe alcohol or drugs contributed to this crash.”

Charges are pending further investigation.

As that investigation continues, Tampa Police officers are rallying behind the family of the man they called a loyal friend and bulldog.

Chief Eric Ward wants Gimbel’s entire family to know they’ll “always be a part of the Tampa Police Department family.”

Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee has also expressed condolences at the loss. "The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office mourns the loss of Officer Howard Gimbel," Gee said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Gimbel family and all the men and women of the Tampa Police Department."

Officers also want to help make sure Sarah’s college expenses are covered. To help out, just visit the fundraiser on the GoFundMe site at https://www.gofundme.com/inhowardshonor.

Funeral arrangements for Gimbel have not yet been announced.

Photo of Officer Howard Gimbel courtesy of the Tampa Police Department