As a crowd gathered outside Real Life Christian Church stood beneath the blazing Saturday sun, the crack of a radio cut through a moment of silence. “Lake 2036,” a voice began referring to Lake County Master Deputy Bradley Link’s call sign, as it began the final transmission signing him off from duty. “May the sun shine upon his house.
May the wind always be at his back. May the Lord hold him in the palm of his hand, until we meet again,” it continued. “On Aug.
10, at 1251 hours, Lake 2036 is 10-7.” A giant flag hanging from a firetruck greeted the hundreds who attended Link’s celebration of life a week after he was killed responding to a suspected burglary of a Brookside Drive home in Eustis. During the ceremony, Sheriff Peyton Grinnell recounted Link’s actions the day of the shooting and posthumously awarded him the Medal of Honor and Purple Heart.
“Master Deputy Link exemplified the highest ideals of duty, honor and sacrifice,” Grinnell said. “He faced danger without hesitation, stood firm in the face of adversity and selflessly placed the safety of others above his own.” Link, 28, responded to the scene on his way home from his shift.
He and other deputies were ambushed by the family living there. The family is alleged to have been waiting as Julie Ann Sulpizio, its matriarch, attempted to lure neighbors to the house to kill them, saying they were acting on God’s behalf. Though he was shot, Link shot back, laying suppressing gunfire to allow fe.