CLERMONT, Florida – “We will remember Bradley as a true hero for his brave actions.”

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley spoke about her dear friend and assistant field coach Bradley Link at his Celebration of Life and Service on Saturday. Hundreds of people were in attendance.

Earley talked about the relationship she and her husband had with Link and his wife, Brittany, the time they spent together playing catch phrase and “our beach days together were the best,” she said.

Deputy Matthew Layman, Link’s zone partner during his time with the traffic police, spoke of Link’s incredible smile and dedication, saying, “His first concern was always for others.”

Another zone partner and close friend, Deputy Preston Leonard, also shared his feelings for Link, also known as “Baby Boy.” He described Link as warm, welcoming and charismatic, and “truly fearless in all his endeavors.” He talked about how Link “looked at the moon and stars through his telescope, his love of fishing, and how Link felt like he hadn’t worked a day since being transferred to the Agriculture and Marine Unit because he “gets to do what he loves.”

Earley, Layman and Leonard each spoke about Link’s love for his wife Brittany.

The couple met in high school, Brittany said. “Brad was an extraordinary human being. Truly a living, breathing angel.” He was “slow to speak, slow to anger and quick to understand.” He loved lights of all kinds, she said, from the lights of a police car to Christmas lights, and “his heartbeat was driven by humble submission.”

She had a message for those who wanted to honor Link.

“Love one another unconditionally, be kind to all, and believe that God is good. Have Bradley’s heart for the needy, the broken, the outcast, and the lonely.”

Brittany concluded, “I truly believe he is still watching over me from heaven by sending you all to me.”

Sheriff Peyton Grinnell spoke of Link’s bravery and how his actions saved the lives of his colleagues. He was on his way home from a security call when he heard extra officers being called because of a fight outside Eustis. He texted his wife and told her he would be a little late.

When officers arrived on the scene, they believed a nearby home might have been burglarized. Link and other officers entered the home, and Link, who was in the lead, was shot at with a high-powered rifle and collapsed, suffering multiple gunshot wounds. In a “hail of gunfire,” he fought his way to safety and fired at the suspects until his weapon was empty. This allowed other officers to get to safety and immediately attempt to rescue Link. One of those officers, K9 Master Deputy Harold Howell, was shot in the immediate rescue attempt. He survived his injury.

In a heartbreaking revelation, Grinnell said that Brittany, who knew nothing about this tragic event, called Link’s cellphone to check on him because it was getting late. One of the attackers answered the phone and said her husband was dead.

“This will forever be the worst call of Brittany’s life.”

Grinnell said Link “faced danger without hesitation” and “selflessly put the safety of others above his own.” Grinnell posthumously awarded Link both the Medal of Honor and a Purple Heart. He is survived by his wife Brittany, his parents Daniel and Christi, his brother John and his sister Brittan