Lake County Highway renamed in honor of Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link

Deputy killed in ambush honored with road-renaming

The Lake County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) has renamed a portion of one of its highways in honor of fallen Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link. The road-renaming ceremony took place at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Minneola City Hall. Link, 28, was killed in an ambush last year, while two other deputies were injured.

MINNEOLA, Fla. - The City of Minneola has renamed a portion of one of its highways in honor of fallen Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link, who was tragically killed last year during an ambush.

Remembering Bradley Michael Link

What we know:

The Lake County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) hosted a road-naming ceremony for Link on Saturday morning in Lake County.

The ceremony kicked off at 10 a.m. at Minneola City Hall, which is located at 800 N. HWY 27, Minneola.

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During the ceremony, a portion of Highway 27 was renamed in honor of Link. 

Lake County Master Deputy Bradley Link. Deputy Link was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 2, while responding to a disturbance call. (Credit: Lake County Sheriff's Office)

‘Always had a smile’

What they're saying:

"For every car that ever drives on that road, every single one, they will feel the weight and honor what it means to live for something more," LCSO Chaplain Joshua Douglas said.

"I pray for every one of you guys; sheriff's office, police department, fire department," Minneola Vice Mayor Pam Serviss said. "Please be safe out there. It's a different world than back then, and all I know is I will always be here for you guys. No matter what."

"He'd probably be embarrassed," LCSO Maj. Christie Mysinger said. "He'd probably be like, ‘Shucks.’ Brad was not a show boater. He was a very modest and caring individual. But he always had a smile, and he always had a helping hand to lend."

Who was Bradley Michael Link?

Dig deeper:

Link, 28, first became part of the LCSO as a young explorer. 

A graduate of Lake Minneola High School in 2015, he served in the Army Reserves prior to being hired as a deputy sheriff by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) in 2017. 

In October 2019, Master Deputy Link joined the Lake County agency as a deputy sheriff, where the department said he quickly became part of its family and faithfully served its citizens with courage and zeal. 

1 killed, 2 injured in ambush

The backstory:

Link was killed after he and two other deputies responded to a disturbance call last year near Eustis.

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Deputies initially responded to a 911 call about a disturbance at a home on Brookside Drive. However, during that call, those deputies were directed to another home not far away.

Breaking down Lake County ambush update

In the minutes after Lake County officials shared new details and updates from Friday night's ambush that left one deputy dead and two injured, FOX 35's Stephanie Buffamonte broke everything down, including the charges on suspect Julie Ann Sulpizio and what happened inside the home.

Deputies found the back door kicked in and heard a disturbance inside the residence. Upon entering the home, deputies were met with "a hail of gunfire," officials said. Link was struck and trapped inside the home and later died. 

Another deputy was struck in the shoulder, while the second deputy was hit in the groin and stomach. Both deputies survived their injuries. 

Deputies in deadly ambush honored for service

The Lake County Sheriff's Office held a special award ceremony on Wednesday, honoring the deputies and others who supported the sheriff's office that day and the days after Master Deputy Bradley Link's death in the line of duty.