Our @WCSOFL Smartphone App’s “recent arrests” feature decided to take an unscheduled personal day. For the last five days. Yes, we know. Chaos. Outrage. Half-finished morning beverages everywhere. While we coax it back into reality, here’s the skinny. Our booking photos aren’t loading through app. But don’t panic-scroll just yet. You can still get your daily fix over on our website. Go to waltonso.org > Jail > Inmate Search, choose your dates, and boom… your gossip rights are restored. And for those asking…. warrants are still updating on the app. Still dramatic. Still available for your viewing pleasure. Thanks for hanging in there while we wrangle the tech gremlins with our peeps at @TheSheriffApp. We’ll let you know the moment the app stops acting brand‑new. As always, we’re here if you need us.

ONE ARRESTED, NO INJURIES FOLLOWING SHOOTING INCIDENT IN MOSSY HEAD FRIDAY NIGHT October 3, 2026 WALTON COUNTY, FLA – A shooting incident on Walters Road in Walton County led to the arrest of a 60-year-old Mossy Head man early Saturday morning. After @WCSOFL deputies responded to the area late Friday night after a report of shots fired, they learned the suspect, Toby Burkett, had fired a gun into a vehicle with the victim at the wheel. The incident began when the victim revved the engine of his car while in the roadway in front of Burkett’s home. According to the victim, a verbal argument followed and quickly escalated, ending with Burkett shooting in the direction of the vehicle. Deputies found one bullet hole in the driver’s side door on the vehicle. The bullet did not penetrate all the way through the door, leaving the victim uninjured. When deputies tried to arrest Burkett, he resisted, and a Taser was used to get him into custody. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and refused to speak with investigators. A judge approved a search warrant for Burkett’s residence and vehicle. The Walton County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Unit responded to process the scene and used a FARO scanner, a professional 3D reality-capture device, for documentation. During the search of his truck, deputies located a revolver-style .22 caliber handgun with two spent casings inside. They also found one .308 caliber rifle cartridge. Burkett was taken to the Walton County Jail and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill, three counts of possession of a gun by a convicted felon, shooting into an occupied vehicle, criminal mischief, obstruction, and using a firearm during a felony. The investigation is ongoing. Burkett is still incarcerated at the time of this release.

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL DRUG TRAFFICKING AND FIREARM OFFENSES DeFuniak Springs, FL – A DeFuniak Springs man has pleaded guilty in federal court to multiple drug trafficking and firearm charges. Bobby Womack, 45, pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The charges stem from a joint investigation by the @WCSOFL and the Drug Enforcement Administration in October 2025. Investigators with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office VICE/Narcotics Unit surveilled Womack for several days after receiving a tip that he was selling drugs from a local hotel. Womack was detained as he attempted to leave the Red Roof Inn in DeFuniak Springs and was found in possession of methamphetamine and crack cocaine. Law enforcement then executed a search warrant on Womack’s hotel room, locating additional quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and a stolen, loaded .380 handgun. Womack, a convicted felon with multiple prior felony convictions, now faces significant federal penalties. He faces a minimum of 10 years up to life imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; up to 15 years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and a minimum mandatory 5 years up to life imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for December 29, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola.

It was dogs and drones for Community Helpers Week at Gateway Academy Destin Wednesday. Mrs. Novak's class got to give all the pets to @WCSOFL K-9 Kenny and see K-9 Aries perform a bite demo. And while you can't pet a drone, kids got a bird's-eye view from our Skydio X10. We love creating these interactions for children so they know our deputies are there to help. We're here if you need us.

TWO WALTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE DEPUTIES BECOME CERTIFIED DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERTS; ONE MAKES FIRST ARREST USING CERTIFICATION WALTON COUNTY, FLA – A @WCSOFL deputy made his first DUI arrest Tuesday using skills he learned through new Drug Recognition Expert training. Late that night, a WCSO deputy stopped a car on Highway 98 in Miramar Beach after clocking it at 64 miles per hour in a 45. The driver, 25-year-old Colin Haverfield, showed signs of impairment when the deputy spoke with him. Haverfield had slurred speech, glassy eyes, and struggled with simple instructions during field sobriety tests. He also told the deputy he had smoked marijuana about five hours earlier. After Haverfield gave a breath sample of 0.049 g/210L, Field Training Officer Deputy Hampton Tardif, fresh out of Drug Recognition Expert training, completed a full drug influence evaluation. In Florida, DUI can be proven by a breath alcohol level of 0.08 g/210L or by showing that someone’s normal faculties are impaired. Based on the evaluation and the deputy’s observations, Haverfield was arrested for Driving Under the Influence. Deputy Tardif and Field Training Officer Benjamin Jacobs recently earned their Drug Recognition Expert certification through the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The program teaches deputies how to identify drug-related impairment and how to tell the difference between drug use and medical conditions. Jacobs ranked first in his class. Sheriff Michael Adkinson said this training strengthens the agency’s efforts to keep impaired drivers off the road. “Drug impairment on our roadways is a real danger,” Adkinson said. “Having more Drug Recognition Experts on our team helps us protect our community. We are proud of Deputies Jacobs and Tardif for completing this tough training.” The addition of two new Drug Recognition Experts gives deputies another tool to help keep Walton County’s roads safe and to ensure impaired drivers are held accountable

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the @WCSOFL.

Y'all, it's Fall! 🍂🍁🌱 Planting has begun at the Walton County Jail, where inmates in the Grow Program will be planting thousands of vegetables, including Cabbage! 🥬 What's your favorite dish to make with this tasty veggie?

PUBLIC SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT: Autumn has officially entered the chat, and it brought National Coffee Day with it. We’re asking all Walton County residents and visitors to remain calm, grab a cup of your favorite bean juice, and refrain from making any major life altering decisions until the caffeine hits. Sip slow, wear your seatbelts, slower traffic keep right, and don't drink & drive. @WCSOFL deputies are already caffeinated enough for all of us today. Drop a ☕️ if coffee is currently doing the heavy lifting for your Tuesday productivity and tell us your favorite place to pick up your coffee!

Rock on Hawks! 🤘🎸🎶🏈🦅 Congratulations to the South Walton High School Football Team on their big win Friday night! Here is a glimpse into the Homecoming parade that rocked ' n rolled them to victory!

Crime Scene Technician Laura Gainey has been with @WCSOFL for nearly two decades. During National Forensic Science Week, Laura was highlighted by @WMBBTV News 13 for her amazing work! Watch more by clicking the link below! mypanhandle.com/news/nationa…

"Shout-out to @WCSOFL Deputy Hunter Swanson, who responded to our home today for a neighbor issue that we have been dealing with for years. My wife said that Deputy Swanson was very polite and helpful, and actually made her feel at ease. Please give Deputy Swanson our gratitude for his service to our community." M.E. DeFuniak Springs

Celebrating the pros who turn clues into answers. This is the 14th year recognizing the people who turn a messy scene into a clear story during National Forensic Science Week, running from September 20 to 26. Our forensic unit handles everything from prints and fibers to tech that keeps us on track during an investigation. They work quietly behind the scenes, but their impact is loud. If you’ve ever wondered how cases move forward, many times it's thanks to the science-minded folks in this unit putting the pieces together. Join us in giving a shoutout to the hardworking experts helping us keep Walton County safe. We’re proud to have them as a part of our @WCSOFL Family.

TRAFFIC CRASH BLOCKING WESTBOUND HIGHWAY 98 AT VETERANS ROAD IN SANTA ROSA BEACH All westbound lanes of Highway 98 are blocked at Veterans Road following a multi-vehicle crash in Santa Rosa Beach. @WCSOFL and South Walton Fire District are on scene. @FHPPanhandle has been notified. Drivers are asked to use extreme caution in the area and expect delays.

TRAFFIC CRASH BLOCKING COUNTY HIGHWAY 1883 AT KENNETH HARRISON ROAD IN PONCE DE LEON A single vehicle crash involving a log truck is currently blocking both lanes of County Highway 1883 at Kenneth Harrison Road in Ponce de Leon. @WCSOFL is on scene. There are no reported injuries at this time. Please seek alternate routes at the roadway will be shut down for an extended period of time.

It was a bold accusation for a Tuesday. A local resident recently received a call from a very confident gentleman who claimed to be a @WCSOFL Deputy. Specifically using the name Jeremy Fisher. Yes, we have a Sergeant Jeremy Fisher who works for our agency. But this CATFISH was not he. And she was not taking the bait. According to Jeremy CATfisher, she had missed federal grand jury duty, and there were now two bench warrants for her arrest. Things were escalating quickly. Then came the choices: Option 1: Turn yourself in. Option 2: Go withdraw $10,000 cash and somehow make your legal problems magically disappear. If you're thinking, "That sounds suspiciously like the plot of a poorly written crime drama," you'd be correct. As the resident started asking questions, the caller became increasingly aggressive. Lots of pressure. Lots of urgency. Lots of "the U.S. Marshals are on their way" energy. Luckily, she happened to be standing on a college campus surrounded by actual law enforcement officers. So she walked over, handed one of them the phone, and said, "Here. This guy says I'm being arrested." Plot twist: The officer personally knew the ACTUAL Sergeant Fisher. The scammer's response? Click. Shewwww. Cancel culture can be brutaaaaal. Amirite?! Then, because apparently scammers are committed to the bit, he called her mother and tried the same thing. HER MOM, FAM!!!!! A few reminders: The Sheriff's Office will not call you demanding money. We will not accept your legal fees in cash from a random bank parking lot, gift cards, or bitcoin machine. We will not threaten immediate arrest if you don't make a payment. Real law enforcement does not operate like a smartphone game where you can purchase your way out of consequences. If someone calls claiming you missed jury duty, have warrants, or need to pay immediately to avoid arrest, hang up and contact the Walton County Sheriff's Office directly using our non-emergency line (850)-892-8111. These scammers are aggressive, convincing, and counting on panic to override common sense. Take a breath, verify the information, and remember: If a stranger on the phone is demanding $10,000 cash and becoming increasingly unhinged when you ask questions, you've probably found a scammer. Stay safe, Walton County. And maybe don't take legal advice from random dudes yelling into a phone. We're here if you need us.

Thank you, @WMBBTV, for covering our latest upgrade to public safety: Walton County’s new simultaneous 911‑ringing system. This enhancement ensures that when you need help, multiple dispatchers are alerted at once. This means faster call pickup times and quicker emergency response. A continued investment in tech that keeps our community safe. mypanhandle.com/news/new-911…

"My wife is allergic to bee stings and was stung and went into anaphylactic shock. I called 911, and one of your deputies arrived at our house before the fire department and paramedics. I wanted to let the Sheriff and @WCSOFL Deputy Katrina Cain's supervisor know what a wonderful job she did. She was calm, competent, and professional. My wife was taken to the ER at Sacred Heart in Miramar and recovered fully as a result of the care she received from Walton County personnel. Please pass along our thanks again to Deputy Cain. Thank you!" -D. Bennett