Walton County Sheriff's Office

DETENTION DEPUTY OF THE QUARTER - CONNOR RICKS Dependable. Reliable. Respectful. Detention Deputy Connor Ricks has been employed with the Walton County Sheriff's Office since 2022. Since that time, he has proven his dedication and has shown a willingness to grow and learn in every aspect of his job. When staffing was short in food services at the Jail, Deputy Ricks stepped up to fill the void. He also regularly assists the medical staff when they need a hand. Deputy Ricks consistently shows initiative, problem problem-solving skills, and demonstrates respectful, effective communication with incarcerated inmates. His ability to remain calm and composed during challenging situations and his talent for de-escalation during potentially volatile situations are a testament to his professionalism. Join us in congratulating Deputy Connor Ricks on being awarded Detention Deputy of the Third Quarter.

Join us in congratulating the four newest members of the Walton County Sheriff's Office family! Recent graduates of the Northwest Florida State College Law Enforcement Academy will now begin an in-house academy before moving on to our 16-week field training program. Join us in welcoming the following trainees! Dustin Tulley Cameron Rojik Carlos Martinez Salvador Oliver Welcome to the family gentleman!

WCSO EMPLOYEE OF THE THIRD QUARTER - KELLEY STARKEY What does it mean to be a "go-to" person? Criminal Intelligence Analyst Kelley Starkey could write a book on it. As a devoted Walton County Sheriff's Office employee for two decades, Starkey's loyalty and dedication are second to none. Her proactive approach to assisting others serves as a powerful source of inspiration and motivation for those around her. She is always Johnny-on-the-spot with information on cases and active incidents. In recognition of her exceptional and unparalleled contributions to our agency, join us in congratulating Kelley on earning Employee of the Third Quarter.

If compassion had a voice, it would sound like Walton County Sheriff's Office dispatcher, Brittany Miller. On October 23rd, Miller picked up a 911 call to a poised but anxious woman on the other end of the line. The caller, whose first name is Jenn, is a counselor and on this day was making an in-person visit to one of her clients - a man in his 20s. But, when she arrived she knew he was in a manic state and his mental state was spiralling. As the visit progressed she got more and more worried for his safety and her own as he had made statements that he wanted to end his life. She was doing her best to be there for him but wanted to make sure he got help. She called 911 when his behavior got increasingly more agitated. Miller stayed on speakerphone providing a calm voice and, most importantly, listening and lending an ear while simultaneously advising EMS to respond in a way that would not escalate the situation that was unfolding. Monday, the caller, Jenn, visited Miller to tell her how much she appreciated her and to applaud her for how well she handled the entire call. Miller, who tends to shy away from praise, gave all the credit to Jenn for her dedication and empathy toward her client and for not giving up on him - even now. Calls like this happen every single day, sometimes multiple times a day. Most, never make it out of this small room for others to hear about. That's okay with Miller, who hopes she can just do her small part to help one person at a time.

More than two decades, three Sheriffs, and a lifetime of service to the residents and visitors of Walton County later, Captain Robert Gray has officially retired after an impressive 25 years of service. Captain Robert Gray spent his entire law enforcement career as a dedicated member of Walton County Sheriff’s Office beginning on May 27, 1998, after serving in the United States Air Force from 1994 to 1998. He was promoted to Sergeant over Beach Patrol in August of 2009 and then to Lieutenant in 2011 where he served as a District Commander. He completed Command Officer Development in 2013 and was promoted to Captain in November 2018. His tireless efforts in enhancing public safety and fostering community relationships have a lasting impact on the agency. Captain Gray plans on enjoying retirement life with his wife, family, and friends. As you tee off into this exciting new chapter of your life, may each day be filled with relaxation, joy, and plenty of time on the golf course.

The Walton County Sheriff's Office is proud to announce the promotion of four dedicated individuals who have consistently demonstrated exceptional service and commitment to our community. Lieutenant William Curtis Lieutenant Leo Cook Sergeant Carla O'Dell Corporal Zachary Rushing We appreciate your hard work and tenacity as you continue to prove yourselves to be invaluable assets to the agency. These promotions are a reflection of your hard work and positive impact you have on the Walton County community. Join us in congratulating their achievement!

It was a typical Friday at the Walton County Courthouse in DeFuniak Springs where Walton County Sheriff Deputy Caleb Davidson was working the front desk. In normal fashion, Deputy Davidson greeted each person who walked through the door with a smile, waving them through the metal detector. A few minutes after walking in, a familiar face returned to the lobby - the look of anticipation written like a story told by her body language. Deputy Davidson inquired, and Mrs. McKay told him she was waiting on her son and his fiancé who were coming to the courthouse to get married. Not wanting to spoil the moment, Deputy Davidson gently told the waiting Mother of the Groom they didn't perform Courthouse Weddings anymore. Couples typically pick up a Marriage License and go and get married, returning later only to drop off the license after saying "I do". Concern fell over the woman's face. The Bride's parents had traveled from out of town to be there for the ceremony. The wedding party was arriving at any moment. There was no angst in Deputy Davidson's response. No panic. He knew what Mrs. McKay also knew - that Walton County is a very special place with some even more amazing people where deputies serve as peacekeepers as well as invested members of the community. You see, Deputy Davidson is not just a sworn law enforcement officer. He is a father, and husband, and runs a non-profit called Cancer Freeze that helps local people as they get cancer treatment. A heck of a human being. The best of us. Deputy Davidson is also an Ordained Deacon and told Mrs. McKay he would be happy to perform the ceremony if they wished. The parties were more than happy to accept the offer. After printing out some simple vows, Deputy Davidson led everyone to the historical courtroom at the DeFuniak Springs Courthouse, which has been recently remodeled. The Groom, a Teacher and Assistant Baseball Coach at Freeport High School, and his wife, also an educator in Walton County, vowed to have and to hold as long as they both shall live - not just authorized by love, but by the law itself. On this day, the space dually served as a courtroom and the birthplace of a brand new adventure for the Newly Weds! Join us in congratulating them.

Check it out! Our agency was featured in American Jail Association Magazine where Captain Ashley McCormick featured our Walton County Jail Division honoring employees during Correctional Officers and Nurses Week!

WCSO DEPUTY OF THE QUARTER- SERGEANT JEREMY FISHER Sergeant Jeremy Fisher has been a valuable member of the Walton County Sheriff's Office since January 2013. A former U.S. Marine, Sergeant Fisher continuously seeks self-improvement, earning an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor's Degree in Management and Supervision in Military Science through Northwest Florida State College. As he pursues a Master's Degree in Management and Leadership, Sergeant Fisher embodies the concept of lifelong learning. Sergeant Fisher is also an active instructor. While previously serving as a school resource deputy, he regularly volunteered to train deputies and civilians in response to active shooters. His exemplary leadership qualities and commitment to service led to his promotion to Sergeant in October 2023. Highly esteemed by his peers and subordinates, Sergeant Fisher leads the sniper team for the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and assumes the role of Alpha Shift Supervisor for the Beach/Marine Unit. He oversees beach deputies, community service officers, and a fleet of vessels and vehicles. Known for his exceptional organizational skills and innovative risk mitigation strategies, Sergeant Fisher is deeply committed to the agency and the citizens of Walton County. In recognition of his exceptional dedication and unparalleled contributions, join us in congratulating Sergeant Jeremy Fisher on being awarded Deputy of the 2nd Quarter.

WCSO SUPERVISORS GRADUATE FROM FLORIDA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CLASS 57 TITUSVILLE, Fla. – Supervisors working in different capacities at Walton County Sheriff's Office have graduated from the FLORIDA CRIMINAL JUSTICE EXECUTIVE INSTITUTE ASSOC INC Florida Leadership Academy. Walton County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Brandon Coone of the Criminal Investigations Bureau and Sergeant Stephen Pate of the Jail Operations Bureau were among the 44 graduates representing 32 criminal justice agencies from around the state of Florida. Students met for four week-long sessions at the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Training Facility in Titusville, Florida where they learned the necessary skills to support the needs of their agencies and their communities as they prepare for future challenges. The goal of the Florida Leadership Academy is to prepare first-line supervisors in criminal justice organizations to exemplify the character and integrity expected of criminal justice professionals and to examine the various components necessary to being an efficient leader. Sergeant Coone began his career with the Walton County Sheriff's Office in 2012. Before joining WCSO, Coone served in the United States Marine Corps from 2001-2005. He was assigned to the Beach/Marine Unit in 2016 and was promoted to Sergeant in 2022. He currently serves as the Sergeant over Property Crimes in the Criminal Investigations Bureau. Sergeant Coone is an active member of the WCSO SWAT Team and has served as a defensive tactics instructor and first aid instructor. Pate has been with WCSO since 2005 when he started as a fleet mechanic. He was sworn in as a Detention Deputy in 2015. Detention Deputy of the Quarter and Detention Deputy of the Year in 2017. That same year he was promoted from Field Training Officer (FTO) to Corporal. He also served on the Jail's Corrections Special Operations Group (C-SOG) when it was first established. Pate was promoted to Sergeant in 2019. Sergeant Pate was instrumental in the 2022 remodel of the booking area at the Walton County Jail where you served as incident commander. "We are proud of these two men as they continually strive to better themselves and become more well-rounded leaders," said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. "We are looking forward to how they put what they've learned into practice to serve the residents and visitors of Walton County."