Heroic FL Officer Honored with Monument Made from His Crashed Patrol Car
"A lion was very much like how Jesse (Madsen) was, fierce and protective, but still family oriented," said Tampa Police Major Eric Defelice, a co-worker and close friend. "So, it really embodied what Jesse meant to us."
The Lion statue honoring Officer Jesse Madsen and other fallen Tampa officers incorporates parts of Madsen's patrol vehicle. (Photo: Tampa PD/Screen Shot)
When Tampa Police Officer Jesse Madsen steered his police vehicle into the path of a wrong-way driver last March, he made a split-second decision that cost him his life, but likely saved the lives of other drivers on I-275.
Tampa Officer Jesse Madsen was killed in March 2021 while protecting other drivers from a wrong-way driver. (Photo: City of Tampa)
Tuesday, his family and fellow officers watched as a new law enforcement memorial was unveiled at District One headquarters, Fox 13 reports.
It’s a metal sculpture made from parts of Madsen’s mangled patrol car along with guns that were taken off the street. The sculpture depicts a majestic lion, six feet tall, ready to pounce.
"A lion was very much like how Jesse (Madsen) was, fierce and protective, but still family oriented," said Tampa Police Major Eric Defelice, a co-worker and close friend. "So, it really embodied what Jesse meant to us."
The sculpture was created by Tampa metal artist Dominique Martinez, owner of Rustic Steel. He says he and
More Patrol
Garmont Tactical Contact Collection: New Duty Boots for Law Enforcement
Choosing the right duty boot can make a significant difference during long shifts. In this video overview, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, introduces the new Contact Collection, designed specifically for law enforcement professionals seeking comfort, traction, and durability.
Read More →
Benchmade Launches Taiga Green Bailout
Benchmade has launched its Taiga Green Bailout, which features an anodized aluminum handle, S90V stainless steel, and Burnt Copper hardware accents.
Read More →
Adept Armor Launches the Nova Titanium Combat Helmet: A Metal Ballistic Helmet at Composite-Helmet Weight
Adept Armor said its new Nova Titanium combat helmet delivers rated 9mm protection at 920 grams all-in, low backface deformation, edge-to-edge coverage, and an indefinite shelf life at roughly a quarter the price of premium polyethylene helmets.
Read More →
5.11 Expands Professional Services Line with Premium, Performance-Driven Scrubs Designed for Healthcare Professionals
The launch of high-performance medical scrubs marks another major expansion of 5.11’s growing Professional Services category, enabling hospitals and healthcare systems to outfit a wide range of roles.
Read More →
SOG Knives Unveils 250th Anniversary Limited Edition Fixed Blade
SOG Knives has debuted its 250th Anniversary Limited Edition SEAL FX Fixed Blade, and only 250 are available. It features an advanced 4.3-inch S35VN steel blade and a tough glass-reinforced nylon handle.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Streamlight Wedge SL
The Streamlight Wedge SL is a high-performance light for inspection or administrative tasks that features USB-C charging and an output up to 500 lumens in a compact package.
Read More →
NLEOMF Officer of the Month Saved Child from Burning Vehicle
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund named Officer Michael Jaycox of the San Jose Police Department (California) as the Officer of the Month for May 2026. Read more about Jaycox’s heroic actions.
Read More →
Garmont Tactical Introduces the Contact Collection for LE
Garmont Tactical has launched its Contact Collection, a new lineup of law-enforcement duty boots featuring 4-inch and 6-inch options, including waterproof models.
Read More →
Folds of Honor Celebrates Graduation Season as 1,613 Military and First Responder Family Scholars Earn Their Degrees
Every Folds of Honor scholar graduating in the Class of 2026 carries a story starting with sacrifice. Folds of Honor ensures it doesn’t end there. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 educational scholarships to military and first responder families.
Read More →
Why Tennessee’s New Deadly Force Law Matters Beyond Tennessee
Tennessee’s new deadly force law is more limited than many may realize. Effective July 1, 2026, the law applies to a person who is not engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor and who is in a place where the person lawfully resides. But it could have far-reaching influence.
Read More →