Prev
Incident
Sergeant Brian LaVigne was killed when his patrol car was intentionally rammed by another vehicle on West Lumsden Road, near South King's Avenue, in Brandon.
Deputies had responded to an apartment complex nearby after a man started throwing furniture and clothing off his balcony. A short time later, the man disrobed and started throwing food at neighbors. The man attacked responding deputies, striking one of them multiple times in the head. Attempts to stop the attack with electric control weapons failed. The subject broke free, got into a car, and drove through a closed gate.
The man intentionally drove across multiple lanes of traffic and struck Sergeant LaVigne's patrol car on the driver's door at a high rate of speed. Deputies were unable to free Sergeant LaVigne, and he had to be extricated by rescue units. He was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The subject was arrested following the collision. In 2025, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 45 years.
Sergeant LaVigne had served with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office for thirty years and was killed the day before his last scheduled shift before retirement. He previously served with the Largo Police Department prior to joining the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. He is survived by his wife and two children. His daughter became a deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp2cgeeqjbssyn4snfm5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Brian. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
33 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant LaVigne gave the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office 33 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Tampa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant LaVigne.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has lost 15 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Brian is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Brian is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Brian is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 1 officer at Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 7 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 2021, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2021, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Brian was 54. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46.5; the middle age was 34. Brian had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Brian was 54. 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 33 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Brian was 54. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Brian had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Brian was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Brian had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 12.5% of these deaths at Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office; July holds the most, 25%. Mondays: 12.5%.
January holds 9.7% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Mondays: 10.6%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 15 deaths at Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has 15 officers remembered here, Brian among them.
-
Richard Roach Aug 22, 1874
-
William Erastus Whitehurst
Jul 4, 1893
-
Robert Max Suarez
Sep 3, 1944
-
Ben P. Wilder, Jr.
Jul 22, 1962
-
Donald Clark Williams
Jun 12, 1967
-
Lee A. Hutchinson
Jul 25, 1970
-
James David Allen, Jr.
May 21, 1974
-
Lemon Harvey
Dec 15, 1981
-
Frederick Thomas Clark, Sr.
May 7, 1987
-
Donna Marie Miller
May 8, 1987
-
David Anthony Abella
Apr 21, 2004
-
Ronald Hamlin Harrison
Aug 15, 2007
-
Mark Alan Longway
Sep 21, 2010
-
John Robert Kotfila, Jr.
Mar 12, 2016
-
Brian Roy LaVigne
Jan 11, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
