EUSTIS, Fla. — It’s been a little over a month since Lake County Sheriff’s deputies were involved in an ambush that killed one deputy and injured two others.

The Rev. Matthew Perreault isn’t just a rector at Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in Eustis, he’s also a chaplain who jumped into action after the Aug. 9 incident to help as a resource for deputies and people close to those involved.

He said that journey continues one month later, as the community is still healing.

Many turn to their faith in times of trouble — Perreault knows the feeling personally.

“I stepped away from the church for a while," he said. "That was because of the loss of my father when I was a young child. I was 10 years old. Not being able to understand how that worked and how God could allow for something like that to happen. But then growing up, as finally an adult, realizing I missed the church."

He felt a calling back to the religion, becoming a priest and soon bringing he’s own experiences to the church.

What happened in Eustis Aug. 9 affected the entire community

“One of my employees at my parish, (her) husband is a senior member at the Lake County Sheriff('s Office), and she sent me a note fairly immediately about what had happened, just to inform me of what was going on," Perreault. "Then my parishioner, who is a Lake County Sheriff’s Office chaplain, also spoke with me the next morning. We had had a number of conversations about what had happened and how the church could provide support."

That next Wednesday, Perreault and the clergy at Saint Thomas Episcopal Church hosted a prayer vigil. He said it was a safe place where the entire community, regardless of faith, could come heal and lend strength to their neighbor.

“At the same time, much of what we heard afterwards, as well, came from folks at the Sheriff’s Office saying it was too raw, too soon to be there," Perreault said. "But we appreciate what you did at the same time, even if we couldn’t manage to be there."

The Lake County community continues to reflect one month after the death of Master Deputy Bradley Link, and while his fellow deputies heal.

“When something tragic like this happens, so many people knew the people who were involved," Perreault said. "Bradley Link was known to some people, the perpetrators were known to some people through their employment. It’s just shocking to people who live in a small community — how could this happen to us? We see these things on the news, but that’s not Lake County.”

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies Harold Howell and Stefano Gargado are expected to make a full recovery, and are doing so at home.