A naked lunatic accused of intentionally ramming his car into a police cruiser will spend more than four decades behind bars for killing a veteran deputy who was just hours away from retiring, prosecutors said.
Travis Garrett, 32, was handed the 45-year sentence Tuesday for killing Hillsborough County Sheriff Sgt. Brian LaVigne when he crashed into the driver’s side of the patrol car at high-speed while on the run from authorities on Jan. 11, 2021, according to the 13th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.
LaVigne, 54, who was described as a devoted husband, father and public servant, was just one shift away from retirement after more than 30 years on the force, police said.
“This senseless crime robbed a family of a tremendous father and husband who deserved a long and happy retirement with the family he built,” State Attorney Suzy Lopez said in a statement.
“While this sentence can never bring Sgt. LaVigne back, it ensures this defendant will spend the majority of his life behind bars while allowing the victim’s family a chance at healing without a lengthy trial. Sgt. LaVigne died a hero and selflessly served his community until his last day,” she continued
“His life and legacy will never be forgotten.”
The sheriff’s office initially responded to the Paddock Club Apartments in Brandon after residents complained that Garrett was throwing furniture out of his apartment window and front door. Deputies determined there was no cause to place the man under arrest and left, law enforcement said.
Deputies returned to the complex hours later when a neighbor reported that Garrett was naked and “acting erratically,” authorities said, adding that the whacko became combative and repeatedly punched a responding officer in the head.
Garrett was stunned by a taser multiple times as he hopped into his car and sped away, eventually crashing through the apartment’s gated entrance before deliberately accelerating on Lumsden Road and ramming into LaVigne’s parked squad car at about 76 mph, deputies said.
“He’s aiming for your car,” a deputy reportedly yelled to LaVigne over a police radio prior to the fatal collision.
“Get out of the way! Get out of the way!”
LaVigne, who was trapped inside the car, was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was posthumously promoted from master corporal to the rank of sergeant, police said.
The deadly crash left Garrett paralyzed.
LaVigne’s wife told the court at sentencing that Garrett ripped away the years she had left with her husband. His daughter, also a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputy, said she lost her mentor, hero and best friend.
Family members said they agreed to the plea deal to avoid a painful trial.
Garrett pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, fleeing to elude high speed (serious bodily injury or death, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence and criminal mischief.
“While there is no sentence that can ever truly account for the extraordinary life Travis Garrett took, today’s sentencing delivers a measure of justice for Sgt. Brian LaVigne’s family, his brothers and sisters in uniform, and every citizen whose life he touched,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said.
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