A Flagstaff police officer was found dead in his home Saturday from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to officials. 

Officers from Flagstaff Police Department were performing a welfare check on Ofc. Jarrett Shughart’s home when they found him, according to a news release from department spokesperson Sgt. Charles Hernandez. He was 31 years old. 

No other people were in the home at the time, Hernandez said. Shughart’s death was being investigated by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, he said. 

Shughart was just shy of his six-year anniversary with the department on Oct. 13, according to Hernandez. He served as a field training officer and was most recently assigned “in a light-duty capacity” because of a work-related injury, Hernandez said. 

“At this time the family requests privacy; funeral arrangements are unknown at this time,” Hernandez said. “The City of Flagstaff and the members of the Flagstaff Police Department extend our deepest condolences to Officer Shughart’s family and friends.”

Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans announced the officer’s death in a tweet early Sunday but did not identify him or say how he died. 

“A Flagstaff Police Officer was lost last night. My heart goes out to his loved ones and colleagues,” the tweet stated. “I am thankful for our police officers and grateful for their service and commitment to our community. God bless them and their families.”

The Flagstaff Law Enforcement Association shared a copy of the police department news release on its Facebook page. 

“We lost one of our own. An amazing person who was always smiling,” the post added. “We will always remember you Shug and we will never forget you! We love you brother, our hearts our heavy!”

If you or a loved one needs help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or Mercy Care’s 24-hour crisis line at 602-222-9444.

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @curtis_chels. 

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