On January 31, 2024, Paul Robitaille, a 56-year-old sheriff's deputy, died by suicide while on duty in Sebring, Florida. Robitaille, who had been a detention deputy with the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office since March 2007, asked to take a break around 10 a.m. and was seen speaking to another deputy outside the Highlands County Courthouse.
During this break, there was no indication from Robitaille that anything was wrong. However, a short time later, he was found deceased near the northeast corner of the HCSO headquarters, having suffered a self-inflicted wound with his own service weapon.
Robitaille was a married man with three children, one of whom also worked as a part-time deputy for the sheriff’s office. His death occurred in the town of Sebring, which is located approximately 100 miles southeast of Tampa.
Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman remembered Robitaille as “a great employee with a great attitude” and pledged to support Robitaille’s family and colleagues through this difficult time. The sheriff’s office also highlighted the broader issue of suicide, noting that in 2021, it was the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S., and that law enforcement officers are among those affected, with 128 officers dying by suicide in the previous year.
The incident underscores the importance of seeking help for those considering self-harm, with the sheriff’s office urging individuals to contact authorities or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline for assistance.
