A Florida sheriff has delivered a heartbreaking video message, with tears in his eyes, to the public about the suicide of one of his deputies this week.

In a nearly four-minute-long video posted to Facebook on Wednesday, Sheriff Billy Woods of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office choked back tears as he informed his viewers about a tragedy that occurred earlier that day.

He said his deputies were called to the scene of a suicide where they discovered that one of their colleagues, Adam Rendall, had died.

“I am shocked and saddened by this news,” Woods said. “Those of you that have lost a loved one to suicide know the pain and sadness it brings to those who knew that person. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends today.”

The visibly upset sheriff then goes on to ask the community to support the deputies in his office as they cope with the news of Rendall’s death.

“I meet many of our citizens who tell me how great a job our deputies do and how much they appreciate them,” Woods said. “Many of our deputies go above and beyond on a daily basis and have earned your respect and love. So, I know that you grieve with us and I thank you for that.”

Woods also used the video as a platform to discuss mental health issues and the resources available to help anyone considering suicide. The sheriff’s video included the phone numbers for The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the National Law Enforcement Officers Hotline called COPLINE.

The sheriff finished by talking about Rendell, his family and his career with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

“Adam Rendall began serving the citizens of this county in 2004. He has worked on patrol in various areas of the county and no doubt, those that he met couldn’t help but appreciate his big personality,” Woods said.

Canadians looking for help can contact the following organizations:

Kids Help Phone

1-800-668-6868

Canadian Mental Health Association

613-745-7750

Mental Health Commission

613-683-3755

Collateral Damage

807-768-5217

Toll Free: 888-835-9041


Hello Marion County Citizens, I’m your Sheriff Billy Woods. Today, I come to you with a heavy heart. Earlier Today, our agency experienced a tragedy that I want to personally let our citizens know about. Our deputies were called to the scene of a suicide this afternoon. When we arrived, we found that one of our own deputies had taken his life. I am shocked and saddened by this news. Those of you that have lost a loved one to suicide know the pain and sadness it brings to those who knew that person. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends today. I ask that you would also keep my deputies that worked alongside him in your thoughts and prayers in the coming days and weeks as they cope with this tragic event. I know that those who knew him will be looking for answers, comfort and peace to assuage their sadness. I pray that we can all find that comfort and strength we will need. I meet many of our citizens who tell me how great a job our deputies do and how much they appreciate them. Many of our deputies go above and beyond on a daily basis and have earned your respect and love. So, I know that you grieve with us and I thank you for that. Right now, my focus is to be sure that we assist his family members and those in our agency that are impacted by this sudden and tragic loss. I want to let everyone know that there is help available to you if you are at a point that you are contemplating taking your life. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 1-800-273-TALK and COP LINE National Law Enforcement Officer Hotline 1-800-267-5463 if you need help and there are many counseling services available to you here in Marion County as well. Here at the Sheriff’s Office, we have an employee assistance program to provide these services to our own when they reach out for help. So I would encourage you to please reach out for help if you find yourself at a place in life that you need help. Adam Rendall began serving the citizens of this county in 2004. He has worked on patrol in various areas of the county and no doubt, those that he met couldn’t help but appreciate his big personality. Recently, you may have seen on our Facebook page where a child came up to Adam and gave him a stuffed animal. He said that sweet act of kindness made his night. Again, I appreciate your thoughts and prayers for Adam’s family, friends and fellow deputies. He will be missed.

Posted by Marion County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, July 12, 2017