Eustis church hosts vigil honoring slain Lake County deputy

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – An intimate vigil was held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Wednesday evening to honor the life of Master Deputy Bradley Link and all first responders in Lake County.

Community members gathered to pay their respects to Master Deputy Bradley Link, as well as injured deputies Harold Howell and Stefano Gargano. Each has a GoFundMe page that continues to receive donations.

“We believe in God. Praying and asking God to take us through this grieving process,” said Chaplain Rev. Doctor Dorthy Hooks.

Others — like Gail Carlson, who didn’t know Master Deputy Link personally — also felt compelled to attend.

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“The day I heard what had happened, for the first two hours of that day, I could hardly think of anything else, and when I found out we were having this prayer vigil, it was just so, I’ve got to go. I’ve got to get there,” Carlson said.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office previously stated that Deputy Link was shot and killed on Friday night during an ambush that also injured deputies Harold Howell, 41, and Stefano Gargano, 28.

Investigators said Julie Sulpizio, 48, called 911 to lure officers to her home, where her husband and two daughters awaited with multiple firearms. The trio were killed after they shot the deputies. Meanwhile, Sulpizio is being charged with first-degree murder.

“I would say just hold on to God. God is the answer. He is the one who is going to help them get through this,” Hooks said.

Master Deputy Link’s funeral services are scheduled for Saturday. St. Thomas Episcopal Church will continue to offer counseling to anyone in need.

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