A Florida deputy died on Monday after a suspect intentionally collided with his vehicle in the Brandon area, according to authorities.
Major Corporal Brian LaVigne, 54, who spent more than 30 years in service, was just a day away from retirement, Sheriff Chad Chronister of Hillsborough County told a news conference Monday night.
“You can imagine the headache that the Hillsborough County sheriff’s office is experiencing now,” said Chronister.
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Police said the suspect, Travis Zachary Gabriel Garrett, 28, intentionally changed two lanes before crashing his car into the driver’s side of LaVigne’s vehicle during a chase. The impact left the deputy unconscious and trapped in his vehicle.
Emergency personnel managed to free LaVigne, who was pronounced dead at Tampa General Hospital, said Chronister.
Neighbors called the police around 5 pm to report that Garrett was outside a Brandon apartment complex, undressed and throwing things – including cookies.
Hillsborough County sheriff Chad Chronister speaks during a press conference on Monday.
(Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities tried to speak to Garrett, who started “hitting violently” on the head of a deputy with such force that he knocked the deputy to the ground, the sheriff said. Another policeman tried to deploy his Taser twice, but it was ineffective.
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The chronicler said that Garrett got in the car and slammed the rear gate – which led to the chase.
Garrett was taken to hospital after the accident, Fox 13 of Tampa Bay reported.
“Again, there will be additional charges for the death of this deputy, since he murdered him by intentionally crashing his vehicle,” said Chronister. He added that Garrett was not formally charged at this time.
LaVigne leaves his wife and two children, one of whom is also a deputy in the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, officials said.
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“We will never forget Corporal Master LaVigne for giving his life in the line of duty or for the response of his squad members, who did everything they could to ensure that the individual responsible for his death was arrested,” said Chronister.
Brandon is located about 12 miles east of downtown Tampa.