Memorial Service Planned For Marin County Deputy

MARIN COUNTY, CA -- A Marin County deputy who recently died in a car crash will be remembered Friday during a public memorial service. Ryan Zirkle, a Petaluma resident, was killed March 15 when he crashed on state Route 1.

Zirkle, 24, was responding to a 911 call shortly after midnight when he lost control of his vehicle on state Route 1, just north of Point Reyes Station, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A CHP spokesman said Zirkle's vehicle went off the right side of the roadway before colliding with a tree. Zirkle was airlifted to Petaluma Valley Hospital where he later died.

The death rocked the law enforcement community throughout the state who mourned the loss of Zirkle, a man who would've turned 25 years old in just a few days.

Friends and colleagues described him as "always happy" and "always having a smile on his face," according to Marin Sheriff Robert Doyle.

"He wanted to serve his community that he grew up in," Doyle said.

Zirkle grew up in Novato, graduated from San Marin High School and later graduated from Sacramento State University. He recently purchased a house with his fiancée in Petaluma.

A fundraising campaign was launched for Zirkle's family. As of Monday, the campaign raised $21,000 of its $50,000 goal.

The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Marin Center Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium at 10 Avenue of the Flags in San Rafael.

--Patch reporter Kristina Houck contributed to this report/Photo via Marin County Sheriff's Office

Also See:

Marin County Sheriff's Deputy Killed In Highway 1 Crash

Procession For Fallen Marin Deputy Begins