The 2025 Florida Tour de Force bicycle ride began on Monday April 7th in Miami, Florida and rolled into the South Daytona Beach Police Department on Friday April 11th. This year’s ride honored eight FloridaLaw Enforcement Officers who were killed in the Line of Duty during 2024. What follows is a collection of photographs taken during this event to honor those brave heroes who gave their all for their communities.
Team Tallahassee arrived a couple of days early and as usual did a “warm up” ride from Coral Gables thru South Beach and into South Miami. This is always a highlight of the trip and this year was no exception.
Florida State Trooper Zachary Fink
Trooper Zachary Fink
Trooper Zachary Fink was killed in a vehicle crash during a pursuit on Interstate 95 north at Crosstown Parkway near Port St. Lucie at 3:00 a.m.
At 2:40 am, the subject was speeding and reckless driving on I-95, and St. Lucie deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Other agencies joined the pursuit when the subject did not stop. The subject made a U-turn on Interstate 95, driving southbound in the northbound lanes on I-95. Trooper Fink initiated a U-turn to stop the vehicle and was struck by a semi-tractor trailer.
Trooper Fink was transported to HCA Lawnwood Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the tractor-trailer was also killed.
The pursuit continued, with the subject driving the wrong way on I-95. He eventually crashed and fled on foot. He was apprehended at 8:06 a.m.
Trooper Fink had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for three years. He is survived by his mother, father, and fiancée. Trooper Fink was 30 years old.
Master Deputy Sheriff Bradley Michael Link
Bradley Michael Link
Master Deputy Sheriff Brad Link was shot and killed when he and other deputies responded to a disturbance at a home on Brookside Drive near County Road 439 in Eustis.
As deputies responded to the initial 911 call, they were directed to a second nearby house after apprehending a female subject. When they arrived at that location, they discovered two dead dogs outside, a door had been kicked in, and they could hear yelling inside. As they entered the home, a subject inside opened fire on them from ambush. Deputy Link was shot and became trapped inside. Two other deputies were wounded, one critically, during the incident and the subsequent attempt to rescue Deputy Link.
Deputy Link was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead early the following morning.
Three people inside the home were found with self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The female, who was apprehended, was transported to AdventHealth Waterman Hospital for a mental and physical evaluation. She has been charged with principal to murder in the first degree of a law enforcement officer, three counts of principal to attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree – premeditated, battery on a law enforcement or other officer, and three counts of battery.
Deputy Link was a U.S. Army Reserves veteran. He had served with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for 4-1/2 years and had previously served with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for two years. He had also served as an Explorer with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office as a teenager. He is survived by his wife, father, mother, brother, and sister.
The trip would not be complete without a trip to Versailles…
Police Officer Jeremy Boykins
Jeremy Boykins
Police Officer Jeremy Boykins died after suffering a medical emergency while participating in the tryout for the Emergency Field Force Team.
When Officer Boykins collapsed, he was transferred to the Good Samaritan Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries the next day.
Officer Boykins had served with the West Palm Beach Police Department for over two years. He was survived by his wife and two children.
Corrections Officer Bradford McNew
Bradford D. McNew
Corrections Officer Brad McNew was shot and killed at the Love’s Travel Stop at 12921 Duval Road in Jacksonville after intervening in a domestic altercation.
At 1:20 a.m., Officer McNew stopped at the convenience store and witnessed a man assaulting a female. When he tried to help the woman, the man aimed a gun at him before returning to his car. The subject leaned out of his car window and shot Officer McNew before driving away.
Officer McNew was transported to a local hospital where he died from his wounds.
The suspect was arrested in North Carolina the following day. He is charged with murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and aggravated assault with a firearm.
Officer McNew had served with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for 24 years. He is survived by his wife and son.
Sergeant Elio Diaz
Elio Diaz
Sergeant Elio Diaz was shot and killed during a traffic stop shortly after 3:00 p.m. at 4968 Tamiami Trail in Charlotte Harbor.
During the stop, the driver pulled out a rifle and fired at Sergeant Diaz before fleeing. When he was found a few miles away, the suspect reached for his rifle and was shot and killed by deputies.
Sergeant Diaz was transported to ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte, where he succumbed to his wounds.
Sergeant Diaz had served with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office for over 11 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.
Sergeant Diaz was posthumously promoted to Sergeant.
Deputy Sheriff Ralph “Butch” Waller
Ralph “Butch” Waller, Jr.
Deputy Sheriff Butch Waller and Corporal Luis Paez were struck and killed, and Deputy Sheriff Dan Diaz was critically injured on Southern Boulevard near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road in Loxahatchee at 9:00 a.m.
One of the deputies had completed a traffic stop when his patrol motorcycle would not start. The deputy called other officers for assistance. While the three deputies were waiting for another deputy to help with the disabled motorcycle, a driver traveling east on Southern Boulevard switched lanes to pass a slower vehicle, overcompensated, and struck all three deputies. The responding deputy witnessed the collision.
Deputy Waller and Corporal Paez were life-flighted to St. Mary’s Hospital, where they were pronounced deceased. Deputy Diaz succumbed to his injuries four days later.
The driver suffered minor injuries.
Deputy Waller had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for 18 years.
Deputy Sheriff Ignacio “Dan” Diaz
Ignacio “Dan” Diaz
Deputy Sheriff Dan Diaz succumbed to injuries he received when he, Corporal Luis Paez, and Deputy Sheriff Waller were struck by a vehicle on Southern Boulevard near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road in Loxahatchee at 9:00 a.m. on November 21, 2024.
One of the deputies had completed a traffic stop when his patrol motorcycle would not start. The deputy called other officers for assistance. While Deputy Diaz, Deputy Waller, and Corporal Paez were waiting for another deputy to help with the disabled motorcycle, a driver traveling east on Southern Boulevard switched lanes to pass a slower vehicle, overcompensated, and struck all three deputies. The responding deputy witnessed the collision.
Deputy Waller and Corporal Paez were life-flighted to St. Mary’s Hospital, where they were pronounced deceased. Deputy Diaz passed away four days later.
Corporal Luis Paez
Luis Paez
Corporal Luis Paez and Deputy Sheriff Butch Waller were struck and killed, and Deputy Sheriff Dan Diaz was critically injured on Southern Boulevard near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road in Loxahatchee at 9:00 a.m.
One of the deputies had completed a traffic stop when his patrol motorcycle would not start. The deputy called other officers for assistance. While the three deputies were waiting for another deputy to help with the disabled motorcycle, a driver traveling east on Southern Boulevard switched lanes to pass a slower vehicle, overcompensated, and struck all three deputies. The responding deputy witnessed the collision.
Corporal Paez and Deputy Waller were life-flighted to St. Mary’s Hospital, where they were pronounced deceased. Deputy Diaz died from his injuries four days later.
The driver suffered minor injuries.
Corporal Paez had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for 36 years and served as a motor officer for over 20 years
And now the 2025 Florida Tour de Force is in the books. It was an incredible week riding with a great group of riders for a great cause. In a few short weeks these heroes will be honored in Tallahassee and then in Washington DC where their names will be etched into the cold granite walls forever. Lest we forget these brave souls who gave they had to give protecting their communities. God Bless these Heroes.
Blackwater Images 