Deputy Killed In Line Of Duty: Sheriff

BRANDON, FL — A Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputy was killed in the line of duty Monday night after a suspect crashed into his cruiser at a high rate of speed, deputies said.

Monday afternoon, authorities went to Paddock Club Apartments, 921 Paddock Club Drive, for a complaint about suspect, Travis Garrett, 28, who had been throwing clothes from the apartment where he stayed, according to officials. Deputies spoke to the suspect through the door and then left since there was no cause for arrest, investigators said.

Later on, deputies were informed shortly after 5 p.m. of a naked Black man running around the apartment complex who was acting erratically. The man was Garrett, and authorities tried to speak with him, but instead Garrett became combative and hit one of the officers, Michael Durig, Jr., multiple times, according to detectives.

Deputies tried to tase Garrett a couple of times but it didn't phase him, authorities said. Garrett got in his car and deputies began to chase him. Deputy Adam Pautz tried to block Garrett, but the suspect was able to drive away and crashed through one of the gated entrances at the apartment complex. The suspect drove onto Brandon Parkway and then westbound onto Lumsden Road, deputies said.

Witnesses at the location told investigators that Garrett intentionally rammed his car into Master Corporal Brian LaVigne's marked patrol vehicle at a high rate of speed. His fellow deputies tried to save his life while Hillsborough County Fire Rescue attempted to extricate Master Corporal Lavigne, detectives said.

Lavigne died while in the line of duty, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.

"Master Corporal Brian LaVigne has been a part of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office family since 1990, and he was just days away from retirement," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "We will never forget Master Corporal LaVigne for laying down his life in the line of duty or the response of his squad members who did everything they could to ensure that the individual responsible for his death was apprehended."

He is survived by his wife and two adult children, one of whom is a deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Charges against Garrett will soon be filed, according to the sheriff's Office.

Update:

A 54-year-old deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was killed Monday night when a suspect allegedly rammed a car into his cruiser, authorities said.

Master Corporal Brian LaVigne died when the suspect crashed into the driver's side of the deputy's car during a police chase on Lumsden Road in Brandon, Sheriff Chad Chronister said with tears in his eyes at a news conference.

LaVigne had served the community as a deputy for many years, and was a man that many in the law enforcement profession admired, Chronister said.

The suspect is in custody at the hospital, investigators said.

This is a developing story. Check back with Patch for updates.

Original Patch Story:

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal crash Monday night that involved a deputy on W. Lumsden Road near South Kings Avenue.

Drivers can expect road closures in the area for several hours as officers investigate the crash.

This is a developing story. Patch will keep you updated.