SOUTHWEST FLORIDA - Southwest Floridians are opening their hearts and wallets to help the family of fallen Fort Myers Police Officer Andrew Widman. The 30-year-old rookie officer was shot and killed in the line of duty early Friday morning in downtown Fort Myers. Widman leaves behind a wife and three young children.

Now fellow officers from throughout our Southwest Florida community are volunteering their time to collect money to help officer Widman's family.

The Drop in the Bucket campaign kicked off on Sunday in a spur-of-the-moment effort between law enforcement agencies to help a brother of the badge. Fire fighters on Fort Myers Beach collected more than $8,500 in just three hours on Sunday, and today the donations didn't stop.

WINK News spent much of the day with Cape Coral Police officers who are volunteering their time to help a brother of the badge. Donations have been so big that officers have had to trade in their ten-gallon buckets for trash cans to keep track of the cash.

They say they're well on their way to meet their $100,000 goal.

When traffic lights turn red, Cape Coral Police officer Damien Garcia gets busy. He can't seem to collect cash fast enough.

"Every little bit helps!" a driver who donates says.

A generous outpouring from the Southwest Florida community, as people show their support for fallen Officer Widman's family.

"We really don't appreciate the job they do for us everyday, and I think this is one way we can really show it," Leslee Minoz, Cape Coral resident and donor, says.

From spare change to big bills, people are donating whatever they can -- even if that means services from their local lawn care company.

"What {Officer Widman} could have done, I can do for {Susanna Widman} now," Cassanova Lawn Care worker says.

Call them drive-by donors -- WINK News viewers and WINK News Radio listeners chipping in to help someone else in need.

"I'm listening to Mandy {Connell} right now!" one driver says. "I just heard you on there and then saw the lights from the cop cars."

"I saw this on the news this morning -- I didn't expect ya'll to be on my way," another donor says.

Donation buckets fill up and get heavy. Even in a tight economy, drivers roll down their windows and hold out a helping hand.

"It comes out of my heart and I respect the police force," a donor says.

"The amount of support is amazing," Cape Coral Police Officer Damien Garcia says.

To put the amount of donations in perspective, officers collected more than $3,000 from the intersection of Del Prado Boulevard and Hancock Bridge Parkway from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

As you might imagine, it caused some traffic tie-ups, but ones no one seemed to mind.

"It's all about the family right now," one driver tells us.

Not only is the money collected here today helping Officer Widman's family, but it's rejuvenating fellow officers.

"This generous outpour from our community is just great," Officer Garcia says. "It's overwhelming. It's nice to see that the community is still here supporting us."

This money will help Officer Widman's young family have time to grieve without having to worry about paying the bills.

"Nothing's ever going to take the place of Officer Widman but at least this helps his family somewhat," Officer Garcia says.

Law enforcement officers from Arcadia, Sanibel, Lee County Sheriff's Office, Collier County Sheriff's Office and others all donated their time today.