WCSO DEPUTIES GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO AID TRANSIENT CYCLING FROM CENTRAL FLORIDA

Santa Rosa Beach, Fla— A disoriented, dehydrated, and desperate man is helped by Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies in his greatest time of need. Now, just under a month later, that same man is on his way to a new life.

On August 13th Walton County Sheriff’s Office and South Walton Fire District were called to the area of Serenoa Road in Santa Rosa Beach in the area of “the stretch” in reference to a man riding a bicycle who looked disoriented and lost. The call was made by a concerned citizen worried about the man’s welfare.

Deputy Wesley Barnhill and Deputy Eric Alexander responded and got out with the man, later identified as Richard Coyle. After talking with Coyle the two deputies discovered the man was homeless, had not eaten in two or three days, and was on his way to Fort Walton Beach from Orlando on his bicycle in search of friends and family.

South Walton Fire District provided the man water and Deputy Barnhill then drove him to Hardees while Deputy Alexander transported his bicycle to the same location. Deputy Barnhill purchased the man dinner and even bought him a milkshake.

Hardees manager Paula McGill called WCSO this week to praise Deputy Barnhill for going above and beyond in this situation. Mrs. McGill wanted to give Barnhill and Alexander the recognition and kudos that they deserved. McGill said the man was allowed to stay at the Hardees for a short time and employees even locked his bike up for him until he could return and retrieve it days later. Coyle is now at a group home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

We are also very proud of our community and their generous efforts to help a man in need.