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Incident
Deputy Brian Litz was shot and killed at approximately 1:00 p.m. while making a routine well-being check on an elderly man who lived alone in a retirement community on 104th Place in Oscala.
The man's son had called the Sheriff's Office, asking the department to check on his father, who was suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. 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 male. He was crouched below a row of windows when the male opened fire from above, fatally wounding him. The other deputies on the scene returned fire, killing the male.
Deputy Litz had served with the Marion County Sheriff's Office for 9 years and was a member of the K9 unit.
Deputy Litz had served with the Marion County Sheriff's Office for 9 years and was a member of the K9 unit.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 5-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Litz gave the Marion County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ocala community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Litz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Marion County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Brian is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Brian is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Brian is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2004, 1 officer at Marion County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1955, with 2.
In 2004, 3 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 2004, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2004, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 83rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Brian was 36. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Marion County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 30.8 and 41.3; the middle age was 37.5. Brian had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Brian was 36. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Brian had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Brian was 36. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Brian had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Brian was 36. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Brian had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 12.5% of these deaths at Marion County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 25%. Saturdays: 50%.
February holds 7.8% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Saturdays: 20.1%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 8 deaths at Marion County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Marion County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, Brian among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Marion County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
