‘A painful void’: Family remembers Orange County deputy who died after brain injury
An Orange County deputy’s family remembers his life after he sustained a head injury during off-duty training.
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The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Deputy Michael Milmerstadt’s family said goodbye to him on Thursday, and he was put on life support for organ donation.
Update:
OCSO tweeted that the organ donation was completed Sunday, and Milmerstadt’s donation could save eight lives.
Deputy Michael Milmerstadt gave the ultimate gift today - one that could save the lives of eight people. The organ donation was completed this morning, & now we begin the process of laying him to rest.
His family has a long road ahead. If you can help: https://t.co/aaKeGNstuF pic.twitter.com/v12uAHRYPY— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) March 26, 2023
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The family released a statement Sunday, which reads in part:
“We know he’s been fighting all week in the most important bout of his life. His departure leaves a painful void that can never be filled.”
According to the sheriff’s office, Deputy Milmerstadt was training at a gym on Mar. 20 and suffered a bad headache, later diagnosed as a serious brain injury.
Milmerstadt was in the hospital in critical condition on Wednesday, a social media post said.
His family described his love for them, work, colleagues, and mixed martial arts.
“His dedication to all of those things made him a great husband, father, deputy and fighter,” the statement said.
Read: Seminole County deputy suffers medical episode prior to fiery crash, deputies say
Milmerstadt was also a member of OCSO SWAT team.
A GoFundMe was organized in his name to support his wife and children as they move forward.
The family expressed gratitude to Milmerstadt’s colleagues at OCSO and those who have contributed to the GoFundMe page.
“We want to thank everyone for the outpouring of prayers, support and love you have shown us,” they said. “We are devastated that despite all of our prayers, nothing could be done to save Mike.”
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