Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

As I write this message it is the day after Brian's funeral. I have just now been able to bring myself to visit this site and read all of the glorius messages left before. My aching heart has been uplifted by the wonderful out-pouring of LOVE. I want to thank you all.

For the past hour or so as I have cried and laughed my way through everyone's messages, I reminded myself of why we as lawman do what we do and Love it so much. There is a verse in the Bible that says: THE WICKED FLEE WHEN NO MAN PURSUETH, BUT THE RIGHTOUS ARE BOLD AS A LION.

Brian was a MAN OF HONOR and a MIDNIGHT MARAUDER!!!!

Later Bro!!!!!

Lieutenant
Marion Co. S.O.

February 13, 2004

To Cherie,Little Brian,Nancy,Ray and Scott. In loving memory of Deputy Sheriff Brian Litz-- When I must leave you for a little while--please do not grieve and shed wild tears and hug your sorrow to you through the years,But start out bravely with a gallant smile: and for my sake and in my name live on and do all things the same, Feed not your loneliness on empty days,But fill each waking hour in useful ways,Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer and I in turn will comfort you and hold you near; And never,never be afraid to die,For I am waiting for you in the sky. Rick and Terry

Rick Lazeren

February 13, 2004

Being involved with law enforcement my entire life, I hope I never have to face the loss of my father, Deputy John R. Hall, Sr., who works for the HCSO. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Litz family. I send my deepest sympathy. I would also like to thank all of the law enforcement officers who protect and serve our country each and every day.

Explorer Lt. J.R. Hall
HCSO EXP. POST 238

February 13, 2004

Dear Brian,
We were shocked when we got the phone call. Another tragic death to someone so young our family would have to endure. You were so full of life, a good son, loving husband and wonderful father.
Your Mom & Dad were so proud of you. Your
Dad always had a glime in his eye when telling of your accomplishments in the sheriffs department.
You were a super hero to your son and all you served, "BATMAN" your memory will live on forever in our hearts.

Sadly missed,
Joan & Gerry Croteau
South Hadley, MA.

JOAN & GERRY
GODPARENTS

February 13, 2004

Brian, I will forever remember when I first met you as a bailiff at the courthouse. You were so kind and showed me around. I will never forget hearing your voice on the radio, you were always so eager to take calls, making my job a little easier :) You gave so much for us all, rest now with the angels. God Bless you. We will never forget...

Jennifer Davis, former dispatcher
Marion County Sheriff's Office

February 13, 2004

Deputy Brian Litz was a witness in one of my first trials ever. I recall how he was assigned to the Ocklawaha district and had to respond to numerous calls at the Hilltop Bar. Just like everything else that he did, he made an outsanding witness in court. I always felt confident when I saw his name in a police report. He was an incredible police officer, and obviously loved his job beyond belief. But, I also knew Brian from another perspective - father. His son attends the same school as my daughter, and it was obvious that, as much as he loved his job, he loved his son even more. He gladly took every opportunity to visit the school and see his son perform in "holiday productions," and he even came to talk to the kids about his job and such. He was a loving man who loved his family and his job. He believed that everything that we do echoes in eternity; he was right, because his life will echo throughout eternity in the hearts of minds of many, including those who never had the privilege to meet him. Fortunately, I am one that had the esteemed privilege of knowing him, and his life has already had an impact on mine, as it will...throughout eterninty. God Bless You, Deputy Brian Litz, enjoy your new home in eternity!

Assistant State Attorney Toby S. Hunt
Office of the State Attorney - 5th Judicial Circuit

February 13, 2004

Yesterday,watching the people of Ocala come together to mourn and pay respect to one of ourfallen heros my heart burst with pride in our town. My son is a deputy,I always had pride in the boy he has been, yesterday I felt such pride for the man he has become and I am proud that he is a deputy here in ocala. May the Lord watch overall of our law enforcement people and keep them safe.

joanne grover
ocala, fla

February 13, 2004

When I got the call Saturday that we had an officer down, my heart fell and I got sick. It still feels surreal. I have cried for him, his wife, son and his partner Justice. My heart goes out to Cherie, Little Brian and Justice. Their loss of a husband, father and partner has affected me deeply. I was not able to attend the funeral, but was at the graveside service and the outpouring of support from the law enforcement brotherhood was appreciated. Brian's loss here on earth is Heaven's gain. He was special in his talent to handle people and difuse difficult situations. He will be sorely missed in Marion County.
God be with you, his family, may He hold and comfort you in the coming times. My prayers will remain with you.

Sharon Duncan
City of Ocala - Nurse

February 13, 2004

Brian,
We did not know you. Our son just started with the Marion County Sheriff's Office just a couple of weeks ago. He was on the scene when your watch ended. I am sorry that our son did not have the opportunity to serve with you, but your memory will give him a positive role model to follow through out his career. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during the time of their loss.
God Bless

Mother
Orlando

February 13, 2004

TO THE FAMILY OF DEP. LITZ, WE OFFER OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCES. THE SACRIFICE MADE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. GOD BLESS, REYNOLDS P.D.

OFFICER A.T. YOUNG
REYNOLDS POLICE DEPT. REYNOLDS, GA.

February 13, 2004

I've know Brian for about two years. Brian was upbeat and enjoyed his job with all of the passion a person could. Brian is still with us in spirit, and will continue to watch over us (family and friends) with every hour of every day.
Cherie and Brian Jr. your husband and father was a great man and great friend, especially to those he served with! You can be very proud of what he's done for the the citizens of Marion County, and know this, his legacy will live on. You should be very honored I know I am!

Cpl. Mark W. Crandall
Ocala Police Department

February 13, 2004

Brian I have to say after today i wasn't sure i could write anything and make any real sense of it all. I still don't i have any idea who to talk to what to say. My very first day you fixed my gunbelt and got rid of an extra handuff case i refused to take off when one of my best friends told me it wasn't going to work..... I've known you for a very long time and I still can't beleive your gone.... All I can really say is that it was the upmost honor to have known you and that I am a better man for having done so... I will try my best to keep what you beleived in alive.. I will miss you every day as well as several of the people we know... You will be in my heart forever I know I have much more to say but I'll tell you a little every night.... God Bless you. I miss you already...

deputy
mcso

February 12, 2004

Our sincerest sympathies go out to Deputy Litz's family. We had the wonderful opportunity to meet him. He was an outstanding officer, and a great asset to our community. Having lost a family member, Officer Tony Zeppetella in June 2003, we know what you are going through, and are praying for your family. Please know that we love you and are here for you.

Dail family, Ocala FL

February 12, 2004

Brian & Family,

Brian I had the wonderful opportunity to meet you this past holiday season. You carried yourself as a true professional in the law enforcement community. I feel blessed to have known you for the time I have. You and your family will be in my prayers and I know you are in a better place guarding the gates of heaven.. Rest in Peace my brother..

Sean Sullivan
RM3 US Coast Guard

Sean Sullivan
US Coast Guard RM3

February 12, 2004

I would like to extend my condolences to Deputy Litz's Family friends,and to the Marion County Sheriff's Office for this great loss. On the behalf of my family and the Gadsden County Sheriff's Department. Deputy Litz gave the ultimate gift that we never are prepaired for, but face evrytime we put on the uniform. Never forget your memories with this HERO and consider yourself blessed to have had the time with him on this earth. May God bless and you are in my prayers.

Sgt. Joe Hall
Gadsden County Sheriff's Department

February 12, 2004

Brian,

While preparing for the traffic detail that would take your procession through the city, a MCSO sergeant told us that just days before you were shot, you said that if anything ever happened to you, you wanted to be paraded through downtown Ocala. Little did anyone know that on this somber day, we would be honoring that wish. As I stood on S.R. 200 looking at a literal sea of patrol cars from just about every imaginable agency, I felt a deep sense of pride and honor to be there for you and your family. You will always be remembered and you will always be a HERO. God speed brother...

Deputy Stephen Conley
Citrus County Sheriff's Office

February 12, 2004

On behalf of the Department of Corrections, I was honored to be able to attend the funeral services today, in which I learned of Deputy Litz's attributes. Even though I didn't personally know Deputy Litz, I could say that I have learned from some reflections on how he lived life. I will carry that with me. Rest in peace Brian.

K-9 Correction Officer Perez
Marion Correctional Institution Department of Corrections

February 12, 2004

We will miss you Brian stopping by the ER to make sure that every thing is okay and to bring Justice by. I only hope that someday we will find peace in the fact that God needed someone as special as you for his band of Angels. You will be forever missed but we are grateful for the time that we had to get to know you and for the job that you and your fellow oficers have done and will continue to do in your honor. May you forever be there to protect us from above.

Anita, RN
Timberridge ER

February 12, 2004

Today we laid to rest one of our finest.

"Marion to K3483"
"K3483 10-87 10-7"
"K3483 10-7 your sacrifice will not be forgotten"
End of Watch: 2-7-04

You are a true "American Soldier" . May God watch over and bless your family during this difficult time

c. westberry #2692
MCSO

February 12, 2004

Today we laid to rest one of our finest.

"Marion to K3483"
"K3483 10-87 10-7"
"K3483 10-7 your sacrifice will not be forgotten"

You are a true "American Soldier" . May God watch over and bless your family during this difficult time

c. westberry #2692
MCSO

February 12, 2004

Brian, K-9 Dano & I came today to escort you to your final resting place. We've never met before but I wanted to let you know how it went. Our whole K-9 Unit attended along with many others from all over the state. Your fellow handlers from Marion County carried you with pride and dignity. K-9 Justice stood proud and close to you while keeping a guarding eye on your family through out the day. The number of Law Enforcement Agency's were too many to count, but you would have been amazed at the number of citizens who lined the road to pay their respects as you passed by. They waved U.S flags, placed their hands over their hearts and held signs with your ID number. Fire, EMS, and many others were there too. We all brought our dogs out at the cemetary. We were told that your family requested that we let the dogs bark and carry on as they pleased. You know us dog handlers, we wouldn't have had it any other way. By the way, Justice was out front and led the pack. Many of us cried for you, your family, your partner, fellow handlers, co-workers, and the thought it could be any one of us, at any time. You couldn't have asked for a better departure or been more proud. Anyway I just wanted to let ya know how it went. Don't worry about your family because your wife and son are in all of our hearts. We will patrol with our K-9's and protect them from harm down here. You patrol with your new K-9 and protect us from up there. I won't say goodbye because it will be my day sometime too. When that day comes and I get my new K-9, we'll get to know each other then and do some dog training too.

P.S. When you run into my last partner K-9 Ruger, would ya give him a pat on the head and tell him I miss him. Thanks!

Deputy B. Montgomery & K-9 Dano
Alachua County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit

February 12, 2004

Brian was a man I had a short time to get to know, but am glad i had the blessing to meet such a devote husband, father and officer of the law. I met Brian about 4 months ago when i asked him for some advice on what to put on my application for Marion County Sheriff. He spoke with me like i had known him for years and we hit it off with conversation. Rececntly about a week ago i had gotten in an argument with my fiance and he was outside and heard it all. He stepped over and we had a "man talk" full of laughs and personal experiences as a teenager and now an adult with a wife a kid he so dearly loved. I wish he could of mentored me sooner with my decision to become a part of the law enforcement community as a reference and as a mentor like he said. But i will continue with my journey to become a member of the sherriff's family...become juss as great of an officer as he was. Brian everyone misses you dearly and your legacy will never be ever ever forgoten. Fly High...you are everyones fav SUPERHERO!

Gabe Laureano

February 12, 2004

Unfortunately there is not a whole lot that can be said to comfort the families and friends of a lost loved one. However there is one thing that was said to me after my brother gave his life policing the streets, that seemed to uplift me a little and it was "A HERO LOST, AN ANGEL GAINED". I didnt know Brian but i can say that i am forever greatful for the service that he and all his fellow law enforcement officers provide, and there is no way to repay those who lay everything on the line for us each and every day........thank you Brian.

buddy baird

February 12, 2004

A truely sad day has come upon us. We have buried an exceptional professional, Deputy Brian Litz. Thousands attended, showing how the law enforcement community responds in a time of need. My wish was for Brian's wife Cherie, to have been able to stand up, and look around at all of the officers who came and for all the officers who had to continue to work their shift, while mourning at the same time. You will never be alone or without a confidant. I know I am a better police officer and person because of Brian. He always said his main goal at the beginning of every shift was to go home at the end. You are home now Brian.

Cpl. Matthew Bos
Ocala Police Dept.

February 12, 2004

On behalf of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association, I would like to express our deepest regards and sympathy to the family, friends and fellow officers of Deputy Sheriff Brian Litz. You gave the ultimate sacrifice. Brian, you may be gone, but you will NEVER be forgotten. Rest in peace blue angel and thank you for your service.

James A. Cortina

Director
Connecticut Police Work Dog Association

February 12, 2004