TAMPA, Fla. — The man accused of crashing a vehicle into a deputy’s cruiser and killing him will face murder charges.

Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren announced Thursday Travis Garrett will be prosecuted for first-degree premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian LaVigne was killed Jan. 11 as he was responding to a domestic call when the suspect intentionally rammed his cruiser trying to get away from other deputies trying to arrest him. 

LaVigne, 54, was a 30 year veteran of the the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and was just one shift away from retirement. He was promoted to sergeant posthumously.

Garrett, 28, faces nine felony charges, including the the most serious charge in all of Florida law, murder of a law enforcement officer.

The Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office is pursuing these charges against Garrett:

• First-Degree Premeditated Murder – Capital felony
• Fleeing to Elude (at High Speed Causing Serious Bodily Injury or Death) – 1st degree felony
• Vehicular Homicide – 2nd degree felony
• DUI Manslaughter – 2nd degree felony
• Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer – 2 Counts – 3rd degree felony
• Resisting Officer with Violence – 2 Counts – 3rd degree felony
• Criminal Mischief (with $1,000 or More in Damage) – 3rd degree felony

The State Attorney’s Office will seek a grand jury indictment for the charge of first-degree murder, as Florida law requires. As a result of the COVID pandemic, grand jury proceedings are currently suspended in Hillsborough County until February 8.

“This was a deliberate attack on law enforcement; he targeted a cop. When you commit a crime like this—when you cause pain like this—you should expect consequences like this,” Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren said. “Despite losing a friend, the detectives handling this case are completely focused. They’re doing an incredible job working with our prosecutors to build the strongest possible case.”