LAKE COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The thin blue line is rallying behind two Lake County sheriff’s deputies recovering from shooting injuries suffered in an ambush attack and the family of another lawman who died in the line of duty.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) says 28-year-old Master Deputy Bradley Link died “heroically” in a shooting at a home in Eustis Friday. He is survived by his wife and parents.

The Lake County sheriff says 28-year-old Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Link served his community with “courage” and zeal.” Courtesy: LCSO

Deputies recovering

Meantime, the other two deputies remain hospitalized in Sanford.

The sheriff’s office says Deputy Harold Howell, 41, was shot in the arm. He had surgery and as of Monday the department said he was “recovering well, physically.”

Deputy Stefano Gargano, 28, was hit numerous times including in the armpit, the groin and multiple times in the stomach. He’s in critical condition following multiple surgeries, according to the sheriff’s office.

LCSO says 41-year-old Harold Howell was shot in the arm and able to retreat from the home. Courtesy: LCSO
LCSO says 28-year-old Stefano Gargano was the third deputy shot. His injury came when a team tried to rescue Deputy Link. Courtesy: LCSO

What happened

LCSO says on Friday, Aug. 2, Link and Howell responded to a disturbance call at a home on Brookside Drive in rural Eustis and were then directed to another home a few doors down.

“When the deputies entered the home, there was a lot of gunfire,” Sheriff Peyton Grinnell said.

An aerial view of exterior of the home where a sheriff’s deputy was killed and two other deputies wounded Friday night in Eustis. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today

The sheriff both struck during the gunfire.

He said while Howell retreated to safety, Link remained trapped inside the house.

Grinnell said a subsequent rescue unit went in to save Link and was met with “a hail of gunfire,” which struck Deputy Gargano.

LCSO says the standoff ended when SWAT “tore the home apart to get in there” in an attempt to save Link.

He was dead along with two others. A third was transported to the hospital and died later.

The exterior of the home where a sheriff’s deputy was killed and two other deputies wounded Friday night in Eustis, FL.
Law enforcement investigate at the home where a sheriff’s deputy was killed and two other deputies wounded Friday night in Eustis, FL. Courtesy: Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel via AP

Law enforcement escort

On Monday morning, a procession escorted Link’s body from the medical examiner’s office in Leesburg to Becker Funeral Home in Clermont.

A celebration of life service is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 10, from 11 a.m. to noon at Real Life Christian Church at 1501 Steve’s Road in Clermont.

Community outpouring

The sheriff’s office says it’s overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support in the wake of the tragedy.

At a news conference on Monday, the sheriff said the department’s hearts are heavy and a lot of heads are hung low, but vowed they will get through it.

To help support the three deputies’ families, the Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association (FDSA) is selling Lake County Strong T-shirts for $20 each. Proceeds will go to the FDSA Lend-A-Hand program which provides “immediate monetary resources” to members in need. The website order page says they’ve had so many orders they are currently on a two-week shipping back order.

The sheriff’s office expressed gratitude to the community for all the cards, prayers and words of encouragement.

“The outpouring of support during this most difficult time for our agency has been nothing short of overwhelming,” said the sheriff’s office on Facebook. “Such displays of care and generosity are simply astounding, and we couldn’t be more blessed to be a part of this wonderful community.”