by Chuck Seaver, SOUTH LAKE TABLET
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office held a procession on Monday, August 5th for Master Deputy Bradley “Brad” Link. Link, a 28-year-old deputy, was ambushed and fatally shot Friday evening during a disturbance call in the rural area of Eustis.
The procession moved Link’s body from the Lake County Medical Examiner’s Office in Leesburg to Becker Funeral Home, 806 West Minneola Avenue, Clermont. Becker Funeral Home will be handling services and at press time, has not yet released service details. Co-workers, family, friends, and multiple law enforcement agencies throughout Lake, Orange, Sumter, and Polk Counties participated in the ceremonial procession that was met with a full-dress honor guard at the funeral home.
Link, who is a five-year veteran of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, graduated from Lake Minneola High School and served in the Army Reserves before being hired as a deputy. Sheriff Peyton C. Grinnell recently stated, “In 2019, Master Deputy Link joined our agency as a deputy sheriff, where he quickly became part of our family and faithfully served our citizens with courage and zeal. Link is remembered as a man people were drawn to, someone who had a great personality and a hero who bravely served the community.”
Lake County deputies Stefano Gargano and Harold Howell were also injured during the attempt to rescue Link from inside the house. Gargano’s third surgery is expected this week as he remains in critical condition.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office maintains an ongoing charity that helps support agency members and their families during times of need. Please visit www.SheriffsCharities.com for more information on donations and ways to support those who protect the community.
The Sheriff’s Office has also received an outpouring of love and support in the way of food donations. They have asked individuals wishing to donate food to please contact Shannon Waldrop at 352-973-2735 or Shannon.waldrop@lcso.org.
