Members of the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office are mourning the loss of Deputy Kevin Link, who died Wednesday afternoon during an off-duty medical emergency.

Link, 50, had been a member of the Sheriff’s Office for 16 years and a school resource officer at Silver Creek High School for nearly three years. He was the husband of Kelly Link.

According to Joseph Gerace, Chautauqua County sheriff, Link was a U.S. Army veteran and former deputy with the Albany County Sheriff’s Department before transferring to Chautauqua County.

He was an active member of the Sheriff’s Office dive team and SWAT team, and also a proficient emergency medical technician.

Gerace said Link was reportedly returning to his Portland home from a run Wednesday, when he collapsed and died.

“I was absolutely shocked,” Gerace said. “Kevin was one of the last people you would think would go. He was very physically fit and the kind of person you would think would be around forever. There are a lot of sad people today.”

On the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, Gerace asked followers to support Link’s family in their time of need.

“I ask that you keep his wife Kelly and their family in your thoughts and prayers,” he wrote. “This is a very difficult time for her and we need to help the Link family through the days ahead. … May our brother rest in peace.”

Todd Crandall, superintendent of Silver Creek Central School, was reached for comment.

“Deputy Link was a dedicated law enforcement officer serving our students and community,” he said. “He took the job very seriously, and he was very passionate about going the extra mile to assist others. He was very genuine in his approach, assisting the entire child – not just the physical aspect of protecting the students and keeping them safe, but supporting them emotionally, making sure they felt safe as they worked through a variety of different situations and problems. He connected with the students.”

Crandall received the sad news Wednesday night; Thursday morning, he convened with the crisis response team before school opened.

“We prepared a statement to read over the loudspeaker to students and staff. We started the day with a moment of silence to reflect upon our loss. Then, the crisis team met again to check on students and staff throughout the day.”

Many Silver Creek students have channeled their emotions by creating a poster in dedication to their late SRO.

“Our students have made a poster in the cafeteria, with (Deputy Link’s) photo, and are writing comments on it. Their intention is to give it to the family as a show of sympathy and support.”

Crandall called the death of Deputy Link “a tragedy,” and said that his absence “surely leaves a void.”

“It was so sudden,” he said. “That hits hard.”

Crandall reiterated that his thoughts, and those of the entire school community, are with the Link family as they endeavor to bear the weight of this loss.

Friends are invited to offer condolences at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home (736 Central Ave., Dunkirk) on Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 19 Union St., Westfield.

A.J. Rao contributed to this report.