Fallen Hero

Deputy Sheriff Brian Robert Litz
Marion County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch: Saturday, February 7, 2004

Biographical Info

Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: 3483

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Saturday, February 7, 2004
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Deputy Litz was shot and killed at approximately 1300 hours while making a routine well-being check on an elderly man, who lived alone in a retirement community. The man's son had called the Sheriff's Office asking the department to check on his father. He advised that his father had a gun and stated that he had not heard from his father in two days. When Deputy Litz approached the house to check on the 74-year-old man, the man refused to respond.

One of the deputies took cover behind a post, while Deputy Litz approached the front of the house in a defensive position in an attempt to get a better visual on the suspect. He was crouched below a row of windows when the suspect opened fire from above, fatally wounding him. The other deputies on the scene returned fire, killing the suspect.

Deputy Litz had served with the Marion County Sheriff's Office for 9 years and was a member of the K9 unit. He is survived by his wife and 5-year-old son.