Carlos Felipez, a 46-year-old Hispanic male, was found deceased in the backyard of his residence in Clearwater, FL, on December 29, 2018. Felipez, who was an off-duty deputy with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident occurred around 1:07 a.m. when deputies were called to his home for a welfare check after a gunshot was heard. Upon arrival, they discovered Felipez's body, and detectives confirmed that his death was a suicide.
Felipez had been employed with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office since 2014, working in the Patrol Operations Bureau.
There were no arrests, suspects, or litigations related to Carlos Felipez's death, as it was determined to be a suicide. The investigation by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office concluded that there was no foul play involved. This tragic event highlighted the issue of mental health struggles among first responders, as Felipez was the third local first responder to die by suicide in recent weeks. The incident underscored the importance of mental health support and resources for those in high-stress professions.
