Search fatalities

On February 18, 2021, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Magli was killed during a pursuit involving a drunken driver. Deputies had responded to a report of a man passed out in a truck, identified as 30-year-old Robert Allen Holzaepfel. When emergency responders broke a window to check on him, Holzaepfel awoke and fled. Deputies escalated a chase as Holzaepfel drove recklessly and crossed the median on East Lake Road. Deputy Magli parked his cruiser in the median to deploy spike strips, but the fleeing driver lost control of his truck, spun out, and struck Magli, pinning him beneath his patrol vehicle. Magli died at the scene. The driver was arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter and multiple felonies.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/pinellas/2021/02/18/pinellas-deputy-dies-after-being-hit-during-pursuit/
https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/pinellas-county-deputy-killed-in-crash-during-pursuit/
https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-pinellas/pinellas-sheriffs-office-deputy-hit-and-killed-during-pursuit
https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/19/us/florida-deputy-michael-magli-killed-intl-hnk/index.html

Deputy Michael J. Magli of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office was killed during a police pursuit incident. He had positioned his patrol car in the median at East Lake Road and Forelock Road to deploy stop sticks designed to puncture tires of a fleeing vehicle. Robert Allen Holzaepfel, 33, who was allegedly driving under the influence and on a suspended license, struck and killed Magli with his truck during the pursuit.

https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2021/02/18/pinellas-county-sheriffs-deputy-killed-trying-to-help-stop-drunken-driver/

On February 4, 2021, New Mexico State Police Officer Darian Jarrott was fatally shot during a traffic stop near Deming, New Mexico, by Omar Felix Cueva. After the shooting, Cueva fled the scene, leading to a pursuit and a subsequent shootout with law enforcement officers, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Cueva was shot and killed during the confrontation.

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/suspect-dead-following-officer-involved-shooting-in-deming/

Special Agent Daniel Alfin was fatally shot while executing a federal search warrant related to a violent crimes against children investigation. The suspect opened fire as agents approached the residence, resulting in the deaths of Special Agent Alfin and Special Agent Laura Schwartzenberger, and injuries to three other agents. The target was also found deceased.

TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES: 3 fatalities, 3 injuries

https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/04/us/fbi-agents-killed-florida-shooting/index.html

Special Agent Laura Schwartzenberger was fatally shot while executing a federal search warrant related to a violent crimes against children investigation. The suspect opened fire as agents approached the residence, resulting in the deaths of Special Agent Schwartzenberger and Special Agent Daniel Alfin, and injuries to three other agents. The suspect was also found deceased.

TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES: 3 fatalities, 3 injuries

https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/04/us/fbi-agents-killed-florida-shooting/index.html

On 01/15/2021, Officer Jeffrey Smith, 35, of the Metropolitan Police Department, died by suicide nine days after being injured in the line of duty while responding to the January 6 Capitol attack. His death was later officially ruled as having occurred in the line of duty, and Congress formally recognized it as related to the events of that day.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dc-police-officer-jeffrey-smiths-suicide-after-capitol-riot-ruled-duty-n1289130
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/02/3rd-police-officer-who-responded-to-capitol-riot-dies-by-suicide.html

On January 11, 2021, Master Corporal Brian LaVigne of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office was intentionally struck and killed by a suspect during a police pursuit in Brandon, Florida. Deputies responded to calls about Travis Garrett, 32, acting erratically and naked at an apartment complex. After resisting arrest and attacking deputies, Garrett drove off. While other deputies pursued him, LaVigne—who was not involved in the chase—was parked with lights on when Garrett crossed two lanes and rammed into his patrol vehicle at 76 mph. LaVigne, a 30-year veteran just hours from retirement, was killed. Garrett had cocaine and marijuana in his system and was sentenced to 45 years in prison in March 2025 after a plea deal.

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article302769744.html
https://www.fox13news.com/news/hcso-corporal-brian-lavigne-killed-in-the-line-of-duty-remembered-as-role-model
https://www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2021/01/12/man-accused-of-killing-hillsborough-deputy-to-undergo-mental-evaluation/
https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/hillsborough-deputy-killed-in-line-of-duty-identified/
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/florida-man-pleads-guilty-in-deputys-2021-death-sentenced-to-45-years/

On 01/09/2021, Officer Howard Charles Liebengood, age 51, of the United States Capitol Police died by suicide at his home in Alexandria, Virginia. His death occurred three days after he served at the U.S. Capitol during the January 6 attack. Liebengood had been with the department since 2005 and was assigned to the Senate Division. His death was later officially recognized by Congress and the Department of Justice as a line-of-duty death.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Howard_Liebengood
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/capitol-police-officer-howard-liebengood-dies-suicide-officials-say-n1253846
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/howard-liebengood-capitol-police-suicide/2021/01/10/12c9cb2a-53e3-11eb-b96e-0e54447b23a1_story.html

On January 6, 2021, at approximately 10:50 p.m., a deputy from the Marion County Sheriff's Office attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Patrick J. McCormick, who refused to stop. The deputy initiated a pursuit of McCormick’s vehicle, which continued driving southbound on Maiden Down Road. The deputy pursued McCormick at high speeds.

During the chase, McCormick collided with a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis that was traveling on Jackson Road, not involved in the pursuit. The crash occurred at the intersection of Jackson Road and Maiden Down Road. Patrick McCormick, the fleeing driver, was killed instantly in the crash. The other vehicle involved was driven by Jonathan David Price, who was the driver of the Dodge Charger being pursued. Price, the officer’s target in the chase, was critically injured and later died at a local hospital due to the injuries sustained in the crash.

TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES: 2 fatalities

https://wpde.com/news/local/marion-county-deputy-killed-in-crash-identified?utm_

On March 12, 2017, 27-year-old Officer Houston Largo of the Navajo Nation Police Department was fatally shot while responding to a domestic violence call in New Mexico. Despite being airlifted to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, Officer Largo succumbed to his injuries. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico and the FBI collaborated with state and tribal authorities to investigate the incident and ensure that the perpetrator faced justice.

https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/statement-attorney-general-sessions-fatal-officer-shooting-new-mexico