It was a bright sunny day on May 13th, 2026, in Marion County, FL, when Deputy Robert Fitch was dispatched to a call of a suspicious person running out in traffic. These calls are common for law enforcement officers (LEOs). Most suspicious persons are harmless and turn out to be a door-to-door salesperson, a lost traveler, a homeless person asking for money, or a junkie strung out on drugs. As Deputy Fitch found out firsthand, that’s not always the case.
The deputy slowly drove his marked white and green Ford Explorer through the area where the subject was reported to have been. It wasn’t long before he spotted a white male on the right side of the road, coming out of a wooded area. Deputy Fitch stopped his vehicle and got out to investigate. The suspect, who was on the opposite side of the patrol SUV, ducked, and went to the back of the vehicle. Deputy Fitch took a couple steps toward the back of the Explorer and called out, “Hey partner…hey buddy.” The suspect suddenly appeared from behind the SUV, with his left hand open and facing the deputy, apparently trying to distract the law officer. The subject’s right hand, which held a knife, was concealed behind his body. The deputy stepped back as the suspect lunged toward him and started slashing at him with the knife. Fitch stumbled backward and fell on his back. The suspect pounced on the deputy and stabbed him repeatedly in the chest as the deputy fought back and pushed the assailant off. The assault was over in seconds, and the suspect fled on foot, back into the woods. Deputy Fitch, not fully realizing the suspect had stabbed him numerus times in his ballistic vest, jumped to his feet, drew his service pistol, and started searching for the suspect. Fitch notified the dispatcher and other deputies were dispatched. Minutes later, the suspect, still armed with the knife, was located and arrested, without incident.[1]
The suspect was identified as Heriberto Medina Marquez. While seated in the back of a patrol SUV, Marquez was caught on camera saying to Deputy Fitch, “I should have killed you…, you know that, right? I should have killed you. I should have stabbed you in the neck.” Court records show this wasn’t the first time Marquez had attacked a deputy. In fact, he served jail time for assaulting a police officer, but this time he faces life in prison for attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. Deputy Fitch received only minor injuries to his forearms as he was fending off Marquez. A witness to the incident noted at how quickly the deputy was attacked.[2]
Everyday across America, our LEOs make routine calls and never know when they will encounter someone who is bent on killing them. They live with this reality, as do their families. Perhaps this explains why many LEOs have a jaded outlook or come across as rude. They need our prayers, not our criticism. Thank God that Deputy Fitch’s vest protected him from being murdered.
Bringing Hope to Law Enforcement
The SBLF—at no cost to officers or their agencies—brings hope to LEOs with training seminars that help them navigate a myriad of issues they deal with. One way we do this is by training chaplains. In the “Winning a Gunfight” seminar and book, officers learn how to win a gunfight tactically, mentally, and ethically—or body, soul, and spirit. As important as it is to survive a gunfight, winning is much more important. Winning means you come out of a gunfight as a victor. Winning is having a holistic victory. It goes beyond a tactical victory. It also means being victorious mentally and ethically. It’s complete victory—body, soul, and spirit. Please partner with us to make strong officers with strong relationships by giving them real hope for complete victory! To help, go to TheStrongBlueLine.org and click the “Donate” button.
On the Road
We’re in Spokane, WA this month teaching chaplains at the International Conference of Police Chaplains’ Annual Training Seminar. We were asked to teach courses on Crime Scene Protocol, PTSD, and Moral Injury.
Pray for your police!
[1] https://www.police1.com/body-camera/i-should-have-killed-you-man-ambushes-stabs-fla-deputy-multiple-times
[2] https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/who-is-heriberto-medina-marquez-suspect-accused-stabbing-deputy-had-history-attacking-law-enforcement
