Off-Duty Pinellas Deputy Found Dead In Clearwater Home

CLEARWATER, FL — An off-duty Pinellas County Sheriff's deputy was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his home, officials said.

Deputies responded to a home in unincorporated Clearwater around 1:07 a.m. on Saturday for the report of a gunshot heard and a welfare check.

Deputy Carlos Felipez, 46, was found dead in the backyard of his home, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office said that the death is considered to be a suicide.

Felipez was hired by the Pinellas County Sheriff in 2014 and he worked in the patrol bureau.

"We request that the family’s privacy be respected during this difficult time," the sheriff's office said.

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