'He brought light into my world:' Fallen trooper remembered, promoted

ORLANDO, Fla. – A Florida Highway Patrol trooper who was killed last week in a crash in Orlando was fondly remembered Thursday during a memorial service and posthumously promoted.

The memorial service for Trooper Tracy Vickers was held at First Baptist Church of Orlando's Henry Chapel. A public viewing was held Wednesday evening.

The fiancee of Vickers, who died in a crash on State Road 408, said, "Tracy was the love of my life. He brought the light into my world."

Earlier, Col. Gene Spaulding posthumously promoted Vickers to the rank of sergeant in the Florida Highway Patrol. 

Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tweeted that Vickers was an outstanding member of the law enforcement community, a Navy veteran and a model citizen.

"Please join @FLCaseyDeSantis and I in extending condolences to his family, friends and colleagues as he is laid to rest," DeSantis tweeted.

The service started with the pastor, Dr. David Uth, thanking the Vickers' family for his service.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers gathered to pay their respects at the service.

After the service, a law enforcement procession will escort Vickers' body to Woodlawn Cemetery in Gotha.

The procession will go from northbound John Young Parkway to westbound State Road 408 to southbound Good Homes Road to Woodlawn Cemetery Road. Drivers should expect delays in those areas.

Vickers, 31, was a Navy veteran who worked for the FHP for about four years. He served as a field training officer, meaning he trained new recruits, and he served on the agency's quick response task force, which is activated during hurricanes and other large-scale events.

"He was a trooper's trooper. He was passionate about the patrol. He took care of his own partners. He did what was needed," Spaulding said. "He will truly be missed."