United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Air and Marine Operations, U.S. Government
End of Watch Friday, September 7, 2012
Add to My HeroesJames S. Litz
Air Interdiction Agent James Litz suffered a fatal heart attack after completing a preflight check of a P-3 Orion in Panama City, Panama, while on a temporary duty assignment in support of Joint Interagency Task Force South.
He had already completed three back-to-back 10-hour missions and was preparing for another one when he collapsed outside the briefing room. The pre- and post-flight checks involved climbing up and down the exterior of the aircraft multiple times in the tropical heat.
Agent Litz was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the United States Customs and Border Protection and the former United States Customs Service for 22 years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, son, mother, and sister.
Bio
- Age 52
- Tour 22 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Heart attack
- Location Overseas
Most Recent Reflection
View all 4 ReflectionsAgent Litz,
On today, the 10th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but also when you served with the U.S. Navy. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
Fair Winds And Following Seas
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
September 7, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths
Detective Timothy Jones
Park Forest Police Department, IL
EOW: December 3, 2025
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom
United States Department of Defense - Army National Guard - West Virginia Army National Guard, WV
EOW: November 27, 2025
Reserve Deputy Sheriff John C. Stahl, III
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: June 8, 2025
Sergeant Terri Jean Sweeting-Mashkow
Indian River County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: November 21, 2025
Police Officer Alec Sanders
Alhambra Police Department, CA
EOW: November 20, 2025
Corrections Officer Jeremy Lewis Hall
Virginia Department of Corrections, VA
EOW: November 17, 2025
Police Officer Marc Brock
Vivian Police Department, LA
EOW: November 14, 2025
Corporal Blake Adair Reynolds
Delaware County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: November 12, 2025
Police Officer Roger Smith
WakeMed Campus Police & Public Safety Department, NC
EOW: November 8, 2025



