The Highlands County Sheriff's Office said they are now conducting a death investigation at their headquarters in Sebring. Authorities identified the deputy as 56-year-old Paul Robitaille, a detention deputy who was assigned to the Highlands County courthouse, Fox 13 reports.
"Paul was a great employee with a great attitude," Highlands County Sheriff Paul Blackman said. "We are all shocked and heartbroken over this, and I ask that everyone keep his family, friends and our agency family in their prayers."
Shortly before 10 a.m., Robitaille asked his supervisor for a break, and security cameras showed him walking out of the courthouse and to a nearby parking lot.
Robitaille didn't give any indication that something was wrong, according to officials with HCSO. However, he was found dead from a self-inflicted wound near the northeast corner of the sheriff's office's headquarters, according to deputies.