Full Breakdown
Deputy Troy Savetz Kills Ex-girlfriend and Himself After TV Dispute
8/11/2026, 9:18:57 PM
Incident Overview
On Monday, Troy Savetz, a 47-year-old deputy with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, confronted his ex-girlfriend in Hudson, Florida, over a television set. According to Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, the woman instructed her two children, ages 9 and 12, to go inside the home and call 911. After the call, Savetz allegedly seized the phone, kidnapped the woman, and later shot her before taking his own life inside a rented vehicle on Platinum Drive in Spring Hill. The children were unharmed and are now in the custody of their biological father. The victim’s name has not been released.
Background & Involved Parties
Savetz had served 14 years with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, most recently in its Marine Unit, and previously worked for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The woman was the mother of the two children and had an on-and-off relationship with Savetz, according to Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. The dispute centered on Savetz’s demand to retrieve his television and other belongings.
Official Reactions
Sheriff Nocco described the case as “sad” and praised the children for following their mother’s instructions. He emphasized that investigators do not believe Savetz intended to harm the children, though he placed them in danger. Sheriff Gualtieri called the act “inexcusable,” noting that mental-health issues do not excuse lethal violence. He also stressed that the argument over a TV set was merely the immediate trigger for a deeper relationship conflict that escalated to kidnapping, shooting, and suicide.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The moment this individual committed a crime, he was no longer a law enforcement officer. He was a criminal,” — Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco
- “Mental health issues are a problem, but you don't kill somebody, and it's inexcusable,” — Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri
- “He was there because he wanted his TV set back,” — Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri
- “For that to spark him to decide that he was going to take his gun, kidnap her, shoot her and kill her, and have her kids experience that over whatever relationship issues is just horrible,” — Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri
