HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Most researchers would go above and beyond for their work. Still, one University of South Florida associate professor is simultaneously taking his studies below the surface and trying to break a world record.

Joseph Dituri, known as Dr. Deep Sea, lives 30 feet beneath the surface in a 100-square-foot space at Jules' Undersea Lodge in Key Largo.

"I have a coffee pot because that's absolutely necessary to live," said Dituri.

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Dituri is trying to break a world record by living underwater for 100 days, or just over three months. The current world record for living underwater is 73 days, set in 2014.

Still, Dituri will tell you that it's not about the record but instead about the research.

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"I said everything we need is on this planet," said Dituri. "Everything we need is here. We have the ying. We have the yang. We have the disease. We have the cure. We just need to look where we've never looked before."

Dituri is studying how the human body responds to long-term exposure to extreme pressure, all while teaching his biomedical engineering class online.

A team is keeping tabs on his health. Before, during and after the project, the US Navy veteran will complete a series of psychosocial, psychological, and medical tests, including blood panels, ultrasounds, electrocardiograms and stem cell tests.

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"We're going to track me while I'm going through. The mental health part of this is important because you're in an isolated, confined, extreme environment," said Dituri.

The lengthy mission includes other projects, while the researcher also plans to use this as a platform for STEM outreach to inspire the next generation of big thinkers.

"Yesterday, I high-fived a little kid. A little girl that was swimming right by the window," Dituri said. "She swam up. I gave her a high-five. I was like, okay, mission complete. I don't care what else we do from here."

This article was written by Mary O'Connell for Scripps News Tampa.

BRANDON, Fla. — A Florida sheriff's deputy who was just days away from retirement died in the line of duty Monday evening.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said deputies were responding to a call for service from management at the Paddock Club Apartments around 3:42 p.m. Monday.

The caller said the man had been throwing furniture and clothes out of his apartment window and front door. The caller also said this individual has threatened to harm staff in the past. Deputies were not able to make contact with the man and left the area.

About an hour later, deputies were called back to the apartment complex.

"The resident is now naked and throwing cookies at neighbors outside his apartment. Deputies arrived on scene and make contact," said Chronister.

The suspect, 28-year-old Travis Garrett, struck a deputy in the head with his fist, according to Chronister.

Chronister said deputies deployed a taser, but it was not effective.

Garrett left the area in his car and led deputies on a chase.

Chronister said Garrett was driving at a high rate of speed when he intentionally rammed into the driver's side of Corporal Brian LaVigne's car. There were no skid marks on the scene indicating trying to stop, the sheriff said.

"Mr. Garrett intentionally switches two lanes and goes into the turn lane to strike LaVigne's vehicle," said Chronister.

LaVigne, 54, was responding to the call for service.

Chronister said LaVigne was trapped inside his car and unresponsive. Deputies tried to get to him.

"The deputies can't get to him to perform life-saving measures. He's unconscious. They're doing everything they can from breaking windows and trying to crawl in through the back window, but the corporal was trapped," said Chronister.

Fire rescue used the Jaws of Life to free LaVigne out of the car. He was later taken to Tampa General Hospital where he died from his injuries.

"This Corporal was murdered, intentionally killed by Travis Garrett," Chronister said.

Governor Ron DeSantis tweeted his condolences about the incident:

WATCH SHERIFF CHAD CHRONISTER'S FULL PRESS CONFERENCE BELOW:

Hillsborough County deputy killed in the line of duty (ENTIRE PRESS CONFERENCE)

LaVigne was a 30-year veteran with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and was days away from retirement. Chronister said LaVigne had one more shift left.

"Cpl. LaVigne was a great family man, someone who served this community... mentoring the young troops. He had a passion for service," Chronister said.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters, one of who is also a Hillsborough County deputy, the sheriff said.

"Master Corporal Brian LaVigne has been a part of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office family since 1990, and he was just days away from retirement," said Chronister. "We will never forget Master Corporal LaVigne for laying down his life in the line of duty or the response of his squad members who did everything they could to ensure that the individual responsible for his death was apprehended."

The suspect Travis Garrett was charged with First Degree Felony Murder, DUI Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer (2 counts), Resisting Arrest with Violence (2 counts), Felony Criminal Mischief, and Aggravated Fleeing to Elude.

This story was originally published by Lisette Lopez at WFTS.

Video from Florida shows that the quick thinking of a crossing guard supervisor saved a young girl from getting hit by a car.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) shared the video of Kathleen Quinn from Jan. 27 in honor of Crossing Guard Appreciation Day.

A seven-year-old was crossing the intersection in Valrico, Florida, when a car swept through.

Even though Quinn was in the middle of the road, with her stop sign raised above her head, the driver did not slow down.

She reached for the young girl, who was walking her bike across the street, and prevented what could have been a tragic accident, HCSO said.

Heroic crossing guard supervisor saves girl from being hit by car

Mia Carlson witnessed the incident as she waited for her daughter on the other side of the road. Overcome with gratitude, Carlson contacted the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office to report Quinn's heroic actions.

"Ms. Kathleen Quinn is nothing less than a hero," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "Though she has only served two years as a crossing guard, she undoubtedly possesses the skills and, above all, the intuition needed to perform this critical duty. Without hesitation, she stepped into harm's way to protect a child from a reckless driver. I am overwhelmed with pride to say she is part of our team of dedicated crossing guards who treat every child on their route as their own and ensure they get to and from school safely."

According to HCSO, 295 crossing guards help the county's children get to and from school safely.

This story was originally published by Dan Trujillo on WFTS in Tampa, Florida.