HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A community and a law enforcement agency are in mourning today following the sudden death of a Hillsborough County deputy. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Deputy Jeremiah Stewart, 36, took his own life early Tuesday morning in the Ruskin-Wimauma area.
The incident was reported at approximately 7:20 a.m. on March 3, 2026, when a family member discovered Stewart deceased outside of their home.
According to investigators, the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No other injuries were reported at the scene.
Stewart was a seasoned member of the sheriff’s office, serving seven years with the agency. His most recent assignment was on patrol in District IV. Before his career in local law enforcement, Stewart served six years in the United States Army, a tenure that included a deployment to Afghanistan in 2012.
READ: Florida’s Bravest Take Center Stage: 2025 Fire Service Award Winners Announced
Sheriff Chad Chronister released a statement expressing the heavy toll the loss has taken on the department.
“Today, our entire agency is grieving. We lost a member of our HCSO family, and that pain is shared by every deputy and employee,” Chronister said. He emphasized that the agency is focused on providing support to Stewart’s family and colleagues, adding, “We are lifting up this deputy’s loved ones in prayer and ensuring our deputies have the care, resources and support they need. To anyone who may be struggling, please know there is help and hope. You are not alone.”
The Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or emotional distress to reach out for assistance. Resources are available locally through the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay by dialing 211.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
