Michael Todd Diego

With profound sorrow and immense pride, we announce the unexpected passing of Michael Todd Diego. At the age of 28, his EOW was February 18, 2026, while training in Tallahassee, Florida to become a Criminal Interdiction Unit (CIU) Felony Officer with the Florida Highway Patrol. Mikey’s personality can best be described in one word: infectious. His energy, smile, and sense of humor filled every room he entered. He loved skateboarding, BMX bike riding, and anything with wheels. His dream car was a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and fittingly, both he and his beloved fiancée Grace owned BMWs in a shared nod to his lifelong passion.

EARLY LIFE

Born on November 30, 1997, in The Bronx, NY, Michael known lovingly as Diego, Mikey, or Trooper Diego, lived a life defined by drive, loyalty, and heart. From a young age, Mikey possessed a deep love for cars. He collected hundreds of Hot Wheels and knew his collection so thoroughly that he never once let his mom purchase a duplicate.

CAREER IN AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICS

That same passion carried into adulthood, where he began working as a mechanic for BMW in 2017. He was gifted under the hood, dependable, skilled, and always willing to lend a hand. To his family, he was their trusted personal mechanic, making sure oil changes were done and tires were safe without ever being asked twice.

CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

Mikey dreamed of serving in the military after graduating high school. Though his Type 1 Diabetes prevented him from enlisting, it did not deter his calling to serve. Instead, he set his sights on law enforcement, channeling his discipline and determination into the Florida Highway Patrol. He graduated from the FHP Academy in 2022 nearly at the same time his sister Alyssa graduated with a Master’s Degree in Nursing. The two shared a special bond, encouraging and motivating one another through the challenges of their respective journeys in service to others. During the process of advancing his career, Mikey trained to join the Criminal Interdiction Unit as a Felony Officer, a role he was deeply proud of and worked tirelessly to earn.

SOULMATE

In October 2024, Mikey met the love of his life, Grace O’Brien. What started as a night where he almost didn’t go out, he was nursing a single Michelob Ultra which turned into the beginning of a beautiful love story. Grace, working as a bartender that evening, captured his heart. When she surprised him shortly after for his birthday, Mikey knew she was the one. They became inseparable. Though work briefly required distance when he moved to Fort Myers in March, they remained committed, moving in together in August with their roommate Matt before finding their own place that September. Their love was steady, joyful, and full of shared dreams for the future.

FAMILY LEGACY

Above all, Mikey’s greatest devotion was to his beloved family, the ones he loved fiercely and supported wholeheartedly. He was always ready to drop everything at a moment’s notice if his loved ones needed him. His loyalty and protection were unwavering. He is survived by his loving mother, Sharon Kentish; his fiancée, Grace O’Brien; his sister, Alyssa Slater and brother-in-law, Christopher Slater; his grandmother, Eleanor Kentish; his cherished niece, Chloe Slater; and many other treasured family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Fitzroy Kentish.

Trooper Michael Todd Diego lived with passion, served with honor, and loved without limits. His watch may have ended far too soon, but his impact will endure in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Service announcements will be coming soon.