Tampa Goes Blue To Honor Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

TAMPA, FL — The Tampa Sports Authority is joining the city of Tampa in honoring fallen Tampa Police Officer Jesse Madsen and other law enforcement officers recently killed in the line of duty by lighting up Raymond James Stadium in blue.

Since January, three law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty in Tampa Bay.

Madsen, a 16-year veteran of the Tampa police, died Tuesday when he veered his police cruiser into the path of a wrong-way drive on Interstate 275 to prevent the driver from hitting other cars head on.

On Feb. 17, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Deputy Michael J. Magli was struck and killed by a drunk driver while laying stop sticks in the road to stop the driver who was evading deputies at a high speed.

And on Jan. 11, Master Corporal Brian LaVigne, who had been with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office since 1990 and was just days away from retirement, died when a man who was behaving erratically crashed into his cruiser at a high rate of speed.

The Tampa Sports Authority follows Tampa Mayor Jane Castor's lead. Caster announced Tuesday that City Hall and Tampa bridges would be lit up with blue lights to honor Madsen.

The sports authority will keep the stadium lit for the next six days.

See related stories:

• Deputy Killed In Line Of Duty: Sheriff
• Pinellas Deputy Killed After Being Struck By Driver Under Pursuit
• Tampa Police Officer Died Protecting Others: Chief