The friends and family of a former Orange County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team member will host a CrossFit event to benefit the late deputy, who died after suffering a sudden brain injury.
Ruck for Mike will take place on Saturday, April 29 at CrossFit Lions Den, which is located at 7444 Narcoossee Rd, Suite 406 in Orlando. Checkin begins at 11 a.m., with the event kicking off at 12 p.m.
The event was made to raise money and support the wife and children of deputy Michael Milmerstadt, who was laid to rest on March 26, less than a week after he developed a severe headache while working out. After he was rushed to the hospital, medical personnel determined the headache was a serious brain injury.
Milmerstadt was kept alive on life support to provide his organs to eight other individuals in one final act before his death.
Milmerstadt was married and the father of three young boys. He worked for OCSO for the past seven years and was a member of the Community Oriented Policing Squad (COPS), as well as the agency’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.
Milmerstadt was the sole breadwinner for his family and, as such, a GoFundMe has been established in his name to help his family.
To make a contribution, visit the SWAT Deputy Michael Milmerstadt brain injury GoFundMe webpage.
The family issued this statement following his passing:
“We want to thank everyone for the outpouring of prayers, support and love you have shown us. We are devastated that despite all of our prayers, nothing could be done to save Mike. Mike is an amazing, father, husband, son, friend and deputy. Nothing made him happier than being with his wife Melanie and their boys. Mike loved his family, loved his work and his colleagues, and loved Mixed Martial Arts. His dedication to all of those things made him a great husband, father, deputy and fighter. 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. We want to thank Mike’s colleagues at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for wrapping their arms around our entire family, and holding us tight as we made our way through this devastating journey. We are so grateful to all of you who have contributed to the GoFundMe. Melanie and the kids will need all of that support as they attempt to move forward. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.“