Authorities said Heriberto Medina Marquez was arrested after the attack in Dunnellon.
DUNNELLON, FL — A Marion County sheriff’s deputy survived an ambush Wednesday evening after a man knocked him down and repeatedly stabbed him in the chest, officials said.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said Deputy Robert Fitch was answering a suspicious person call near 11775 NW 10th Place when the attack began. Officials said Fitch suffered minor injuries because his protective vest blocked the knife strikes. The suspect, 38-year-old Heriberto Medina Marquez, was arrested and charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.
The call came in around 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Dunnellon area, west of Ocala. Fitch arrived in a marked patrol vehicle and stepped out to investigate. Officials said Marquez rushed him moments later, knocked him to the ground and climbed on top of him. While Fitch was on the ground, officials said, Marquez stabbed at his chest several times. In body camera footage described by authorities, Fitch said, “My vest got it,” after the attack. The sheriff’s office said the vest was the reason the deputy survived. “His bulletproof vest saved his life,” the agency said.
After the stabbing, officials said Marquez ran into a nearby wooded area. Other deputies responded to the scene as Fitch reported what had happened. The sheriff’s office said Marquez later came out of the woods and was taken into custody. Investigators said two pocket-style knives were found and both appeared to have fresh blood on them. Officials have not said what led to the original suspicious person call, whether Fitch and Marquez had spoken before the attack or whether Marquez had any known connection to the location. No other injuries were reported.
The sheriff’s office identified the injured deputy as Robert Fitch and the suspect as Heriberto Medina Marquez. Officials said video showed Marquez attacking Fitch as soon as the deputy left his patrol vehicle. The agency described the case as an ambush and said detectives believe Marquez intended to kill the deputy. While Marquez was in a patrol vehicle after his arrest, officials said, he could be heard telling the deputy, “I should have killed you, you know that, right?” The statement is expected to be part of the criminal case as investigators review video, witness accounts and physical evidence.
Protective vests are standard safety gear for many deputies responding to calls that can change quickly. In this case, officials said the vest stopped the most serious harm when the knife struck Fitch’s chest. The sheriff’s office did not release a full medical report for Fitch, but said his injuries were minor. The attack drew attention because it began during a routine suspicious person response, a call type that often gives deputies little information before they arrive. The sheriff’s office said the first moments of the encounter showed how quickly the situation turned violent.
Marquez was taken to the Marion County Jail after his arrest. He was being held without bond, according to local reports. The charge of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer is a major felony that can bring severe penalties if prosecutors prove intent and the other required elements in court. The next steps are expected to include a first appearance, review by prosecutors and the filing of formal charging documents if the state moves forward. Officials did not immediately announce an attorney for Marquez or release a court date.
The scene along NW 10th Place included a patrol response, a wooded search area and body camera evidence that officials said captured the attack and its aftermath. Deputies said Fitch was able to describe the assault after it happened, including that he felt repeated blows to his chest and believed the vest had taken the impact. Investigators also documented the knives and the suspect’s alleged statement after his arrest. The sheriff’s office framed the case as a reminder of the danger deputies face when they arrive at calls with limited information and little warning.
As of Thursday, Fitch was expected to recover from minor injuries, and Marquez remained in custody. The investigation is continuing as detectives review video, evidence and reports from the Wednesday evening attack.
Author note: Last updated May 14, 2026.