U.S. Navy · United States 
James Litz
2012
James S. Litz served the U.S. Navy.
How He Died
Manner
Natural
Cause
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
What Happened
Air Interdiction Agent James Litz suffered a fatal heart attack after completing a preflight check of a P-3 Orion in Panama City, Panama, while on a temporary duty assignment in support of Joint Interagency Task Force South.
He had already completed three back-to-back 10-hour missions and was preparing for another one when he collapsed outside the briefing room. The pre- and post-flight checks involved climbing up and down the exterior of the aircraft multiple times in the tropical heat.
Agent Litz was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the United States Customs and Border Protection and the former United States Customs Service for 22 years.
He had already completed three back-to-back 10-hour missions and was preparing for another one when he collapsed outside the briefing room. The pre- and post-flight checks involved climbing up and down the exterior of the aircraft multiple times in the tropical heat.
Agent Litz was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the United States Customs and Border Protection and the former United States Customs Service for 22 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, son, mother, and sister.
Service Record
U.S. Navy
Also Served
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Air and Marine Operations
Air Interdiction Agent
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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