Master Corporal Brian Roy LaVigne

Officer: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Master Corporal Brian Roy LaVigne

Date: 1/11/2021                      Location: Brandon, FL           FACTORS (1,3,4,8,11,12,13,14,19)

Perpetrator(s) Involved: Zachary Gabriel Garrett

Criminal Activity History/Involved: Yes, in 2017 Garrett assaulted a Georgia deputy./Yes, although it appeared to be an episode of mental illness, when the deputies tried to detain him, Garrett assaulted one of them and then fled the scene in his vehicle.

Mental Illness: Yes, Garrett had the charges dropped in the 2017 incident by pleading PTSD from his military service. His father reports Garrett was diagnosed as bipolar, and while hospitalized after this incident he admitted to taking medication for anxiety.

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Yes, in the 2017 incident Garrett was believed to be on a “mind-altering drug.”/Yes, Garrett’s blood tested positive for cocaine and marijuana, and marijuana was found in his vehicle.  

Race/Sex/Age: Black/Male/28

What prompted the initial contact with the killer? At approximately 5 p.m. on January 11, 2021, two Sheriff’s deputies responded for the second time that day to an apartment complex where Zachary Garrett was reported to be causing a disturbance. The first time he refused to come out of his apartment, the second time he was found outside, “nude and acting erratically.”  

Actions taken by subject toward police: After initially ignoring the deputies’ commands, Garrett attacked one of them. Garrett was then tased by both deputies but without effect. He then managed to fight off the deputies and get into his car, drive out of the complex while being pursued and then drive head-on into Corporal LaVigne’s vehicle at 76 mph as he responded to assist.

Reactions by the police: The deputies helped extricate Corporal LaVigne from his crushed vehicle. LaVigne and Garrett were rushed to the hospital where LaVigne was declared dead.

How murdered? Corporal LaVigne was murdered when Garrett intentionally crashed into his patrol vehicle head on.

What could have been done differently for the officer to still be alive? Corporal LaVigne had no chance as Garrett intentionally crashing into his vehicle. The deputies could have used deadly force when Garrett got into his vehicle in that erratic state. Understandably however with Garrett being black, the deputies were afraid to use deadly force and be portrayed as racists.

Would the officer had been justified to use deadly force before being murdered? Yes, the deputies had reasonable cause to believe Garrett posed a deadly threat to themselves or the public when getting into his vehicle to either acquire a deadly weapon or use it as one.

Outcome for the cop-killer: Garrett was hospitalized after the crash and has been charged with nine felonies, including first-degree premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer, fleeing to elude, vehicular homicide, and DUI manslaughter.

Miscellaneous: This was Corporal LaVigne’s next to last shift before retiring.