After retiring from the Hellenic Army, from 2000 until his death in a helicopter accident in 2002 he commanded the Cypriot National Guard.
He entered the Hellenic Army Academy in 1962 and graduated as an Infantry Second Lieutenant four years later, seventh of his class.
[1] He was immediately recalled to service as Chief of the Cypriot National Guard (the senior command positions of the CNG are customarily filled by active or retired Greek officers), replacing Lt. General Dimitrios Dimou.
Florakis was married to a Cypriot, Athina Savvidou from Paphos, and quickly became a popular and well-liked officer in Cyprus.
Aside from Florakis, the Air Force Commander Brigadier Stylianos Demenagas and three other officers were killed.