Walton County Sheriff's Office, Florida

Walton County Sheriff's Office, Florida Welcome. We consider each of you our partners in public safety and law enforcement. Please enjoy our page.

We encourage you to share your thoughts as they relate to the topic being discussed. You are fully responsible for the content of your comments. Be courteous, follow our rules of decorum, and posts should be related to the posting being discussed. Posts that contain obscene, indecent, or profane language; contain threats or defamatory statements; are bullying, intimidating, or harassing any user;

contain personal attacks; contain hate speech; promote or endorse services or products; suggest or encourage illegal activity; are multiple, repetitive off-topic posts by a single user (spam); are not topically related to the particular posting, are to promote a politician or political campaign, or violate a legal ownership interest of any other party will be removed and result in the person being banned from this page. Our purpose is to convey important public safety information, increase our ability to quickly, effectively, and efficiently reach Walton County and Northwest Florida residents to help us find criminal suspects, find missing and/or endangered persons, communicate public safety alerts, and further our mission of preventing, reducing, suppressing, displacing, solving, and fighting crime in Walton County. Comments that are obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, threatening, or harassing in nature, advocate criminal behavior, discriminate, include clearly inaccurate information, or are unrelated to the intended topic of discussion or provide links to other third-party sites would be removed. The Walton County Sheriff's Office has the right, with or without notice, to block access to its social media pages to any user who consistently violates the policy guidelines. Under Florida's very broad public records laws, any written communication created or received by the Walton County Sheriff's Office will be made available to the public or media upon request. (unless otherwise exempt)

Please keep in mind that if you don't want your comments or identifying information released in response to a request, don't post. The purpose of this site is to share information on specific WCSO topics of interest. We reserve the right to edit or remove personal attacks, hateful comments, obscenities, or comments that aren't related to the topic. Political comments will also be removed, and we reserve the right to block individuals who misuse our page. To ensure constructive on-topic engagement, please review our terms and conditions. We work hard to maintain an open and on-topic dialogue and avoid the need to disable comments, a step taken by many government entities. Posting comments that contain profanity, defamatory language, threatening language, sexually indecent language, or harassing language is a violation of our Terms of Use; the comment(s) will be removed from our page. Repeated violations will result in being banned from our page. To make a public records request, please direct your inquiry to the custodian of the public records by clicking here: https://waltonso.org/records-request/. Thanks for your participation and understanding.

Guess who's back, back again?We need diapers, tell a friend.Guess who's back, guess who's back.Guess who's back, guess w...
09/14/2026

Guess who's back, back again?
We need diapers, tell a friend.
Guess who's back, guess who's back.
Guess who's back, guess who's back.
Help us pack, help us pack.

The Walton County Sheriff's Office Pack the Patrol Car Diaper Drive is back at our south administration office, located at 133 Sheriff Drive in Santa Rosa Beach.

DID YOU KNOW that 1 in 4 parents in the United States miss work or school because they can’t afford diapers? Nearly half of American families with young children struggle to purchase them. That adds up to a nationwide shortage of almost 5 billion diapers every year.

Which is why our agency continues to partner with Caring & Sharing of South Walton to help collect diapers for families who need them in our community.

Please help spread the word. Those who can help can drop diapers off at our DeFuniak Springs or Santa Rosa Beach Walton County Sheriff's Office locations from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

We'll drop the link to the addresses of those locations in the comments below!
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

COUNTYWIDE 911 COORDINATION EXPANDS AS SOUTH WALTON FIRE DISTRICT AND DEFUNIAK SPRINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT JOIN SIMULTANEO...
09/14/2026

COUNTYWIDE 911 COORDINATION EXPANDS AS SOUTH WALTON FIRE DISTRICT AND DEFUNIAK SPRINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT JOIN SIMULTANEOUS 911 SYSTEM

WALTON COUNTY, FLA – Emergency response in Walton County is now faster, smarter, and more connected.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is thrilled to announce the formal integration of the South Walton Fire District and the Office of the City Marshal, DeFuniak Springs Police into the county’s Simultaneous 911 Ringing System. The expansion aims to strengthen countywide emergency response coordination and enhance service for residents and visitors in Walton County.

So, how does this technology work? The Simultaneous 911 Ringing System routes emergency calls to multiple agencies at the same time based on where the call originates from. This allows for faster information sharing and streamlined dispatching, so emergency response is unified.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office serves as the county’s primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), meaning all 911 calls first enter through our agency. Under the simultaneous ringing model, calls will now ring to multiple agencies at once when appropriate, depending on the caller’s location.

This collaborative approach improves situational awareness for responding agencies and reduces delays caused by transferring calls between dispatch centers.

“The project represents a significant step in modernizing emergency communications in Walton County,” said Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “By bringing SWFD and DFSPD fully into the simultaneous 911 environment, we’re ensuring that every second counts and that first responders have the information they need as quickly as possible.”

But this couldn’t have been accomplished without the help of multiple partners.

Walton County Geographic Information Systems (GIS) supported this initiative by developing new mapping layers essential for determining which calls should ring to which agencies simultaneously.

Over three months, extensive testing was done with dispatchers from all three agencies, along with technical partners such as Motorola and C1, formerly ConvergeOne. Although the system went live in July, officials from all involved agencies continue to refine processes to maximize efficiency and coordination.

South Walton Fire District and DeFuniak Springs Police Department officials echoed the importance of the integration and emphasized the benefits of enhanced coordination and reduced response times.

“Developing this system included careful planning and forecasting to bolster Emergency Communications staffing levels specifically in South Walton Fire District's jurisdiction,” said SWFD Fire Chief Ryan Crawford. “We prepared for the increase in our inbound 911 call volume while fostering collaborative operating procedures to reflect ‘Walton County 911’ as a team. Ultimately, the agencies involved did the work to make this possible, but the true beneficiaries are the taxpayers who receive critical redundancy in their local 911 system.”

“We’re a small community, and when someone calls 911, they deserve quick help from folks who know this area and care about the people in it,” said DeFuniak Springs Police Chief James Hurley. “Joining this system means we’re working shoulder to shoulder with our partners across the county to make sure no call gets delayed. It’s another way we’re looking out for our neighbors and doing everything we can to keep them safe.”

This unified system reflects ongoing efforts across Walton County to leverage technology and interagency partnerships to deliver the highest standard of emergency service. The implementation of simultaneous ringing aligns with broader countywide initiatives to strengthen public safety infrastructure and provide first responders with reliable, efficient communication tools.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to the dispatchers from all three agencies whose patience, dedication, and countless hours of hard work made this launch possible.

Thank you for your kindness and hospitality. ♥️
09/12/2026

Thank you for your kindness and hospitality. ♥️

09/12/2026

Half staff today. 🇺🇸 But, every day we remember.

On this day 25 years ago, 2,977 people went home to their families and loved ones.They rode the subway. Clocked out from...
09/10/2026

On this day 25 years ago, 2,977 people went home to their families and loved ones.

They rode the subway. Clocked out from work. Packed a suitcase for a morning flight. Some stayed on duty at the firehouse.

They changed out of their uniforms or business clothes. Made dinner. Called their parents. Watched a show. Kissed their kids goodnight.

It would be the last time.

Most of us wake up believing we’ll get another chance. Another morning coffee. Another hug at the door. Another “be safe.” We move through our days without thinking about how quickly life can change. How time is fleeting.

Imagine if we lived our lives the way those last hours remind us to live. Paying attention. Being present. Saying what matters. Letting small frustrations go. Making wrongs right. Holding onto the people who mean something to us.

What would you do differently today if you knew tomorrow would be your last?

Maybe the best way to honor them is simple: live with the kind of care and courage we wish they could have had one more day to show.

We're here if you need us.

09/10/2026

Preparing today.

Walton County Sheriff's Office Emergency Manager Catie Feeney joined United Way Emerald Coast President & CEO Kelly Jasen in the latest episode of the Change Starts With U podcast, where Feeney dives into practical tips to help you and your family prepare BEFORE disaster strikes.

UPDATE 9:35 AM: All lanes are clear. Continue to expect delays in the area. ____________TRAFFIC CRASH BLOCKING WESTBOUND...
09/10/2026

UPDATE 9:35 AM: All lanes are clear. Continue to expect delays in the area.
____________

TRAFFIC CRASH BLOCKING WESTBOUND HIGHWAY 98 AT OLD BLUE MOUNTAIN ROAD

Walton County Sheriff’s Office is on scene of a traffic crash that is currently blocking westbound lanes of Highway 98 at the intersection of Old Blue Mountain Road and County Highway 83 in Santa Rosa Beach.

Please use extreme caution in the area and expect delays as first responders work the scene.

Leland, the lover boy, is making headlines again!MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife is droppin' the mic on a few things to ...
09/09/2026

Leland, the lover boy, is making headlines again!

MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife is droppin' the mic on a few things to keep in mind if you own a non-native tortoise!

Nearly 30 years have passed, but Leroy Warren deserves answers. One tip, no matter how small, could finally bring justic...
09/09/2026

Nearly 30 years have passed, but Leroy Warren deserves answers. One tip, no matter how small, could finally bring justice.
If you know something, now is the time to speak up.

🔎 COLD CASE SPOTLIGHT | LEROY WARREN

In September 1995, 68-year-old Leroy Warren was found murdered inside his Jackson Street home in DeFuniak Springs. Decades later, investigators with the Walton County Sheriff's Office, Florida continue to seek information that could help solve his murder.

If you know anything about the murder of Leroy Warren, you can share what you know with Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers while remaining 100% anonymous.

📞 Call: 850-863-TIPS (8477)
📲 Submit: P3 Tips App
💻 Online: EmeraldCoastCrimeStoppers.com

💰 Information that helps lead to an arrest could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000.

You don’t have to give your name. You just have to share what you know.

➡️ Help us keep Leroy’s case in the spotlight by sharing this post. Someone knows something. One tip could make the difference.

We wanted to share some of the feedback we've received since launching Versaterm Inc CommunityConnect™ earlier this year...
09/08/2026

We wanted to share some of the feedback we've received since launching Versaterm Inc CommunityConnect™ earlier this year.

More than six months in, our agency has a 4.79 out of 5 satisfaction rate for deputy professionalism.

We want our community to know we are listening and that we also hear your feedback on how we can improve. Every survey you fill out is carefully reviewed and taken into consideration.

Through the CommunityConnect™ system, when a crime victim calls 9-1-1, their phone number is entered into our computer-aided dispatch system.

From that point on, they will receive notifications throughout the investigation. If they register with VINE, updates will continue through the offender’s incarceration and any parole or release events.

By combining VINE and CommunityConnect™, victims receive near real-time notifications from the moment an incident occurs through the post-arrest judicial process. This bridges the gap in communication and helps victims feel supported every step of the way.

We are proud to serve the people who live and work in Walton County and are always looking for ways to be better. The following is some of the feedback we've received thus far.

We're here if you need us.

"Deputy Davenport was awesome to work with and helped me locate my stolen LSV immediately. The communications officer was also great to work with and helped ensure we found a quick resolution. Thank you, WCSO!!!"

"I truly appreciate WCSO, who have positively responded to my calls in the past. Keep up the good work."

"Deputy Drumright is very knowledgeable & professional."

"We had a cottonmouth on our porch, and I’m out of town. My wife wouldn’t go outside to go to work; she was scared. The deputies showed up very quickly and took care of the issue. They were very professional and polite. We are so lucky to have you all."

"The first responders handled the horrific accident with calmness and were very professional. I do believe the golf cart situation is scary with so many vehicles."

"The two deputies were amazing. They helped solve my situation very effectively, very kind and professional."

"I would like to thank Walton Sheriff's Office for their help. They were very professional, friendly, and kind. Thank you for your service."

"Thank you all for your fast response and communication with me. I appreciate it so much."

"Can’t say enough good about the deputies who responded: kind, concerned, and engaging. I am not sure of the outcome (hopefully someone went to jail); however, the deputies were outstanding. We come down every year, and this is the first contact that I have had with your agency. Well done."

"Someone was driving very recklessly and passed two cars in a no-passing area around the curve. They were driving all over the road at a high speed, and I was so happy when I got to Defuniak Springs and saw that the Sheriff's Deputy had that car pulled over. I was very, very happy to see that they had pulled this car over."

"Excellent professional service. Both deputies went out of their way to be helpful."

Address

10 Sheriff Circle
DeFuniak Springs, FL
32433

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