Walton County Sheriff's Office

"If hope were a crop, it would grow in Northern Walton County." Walton County Sheriff's Office is thrilled to be the FEATURED COVER STORY in Volume 24, Issue 4 of Florida Sheriffs & Deputy Sheriffs All Points Bulletin! Check it out! Florida Sheriffs, Florida Sheriffs, Florida Deputy Sheriff’s Association

WCSO SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR, DEPUTY EARNS FSU COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK DISTINGUISHED YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD WALTON COUNTY, FLA— A member of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office is awarded for her tenacity in the field of social work by Florida State University College of Social Work. Hailey Lovejoy, who spent four years with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy, transitioned to serving as a Substance Abuse Counselor at the Walton County Jail earlier this year. The College of Social Work at Florida State University hosted its 2024 Scholarship and Awards dinner during the 2024 FSU Homecoming week where Lovejoy was presented the Distinguished Young Alumni Award. The event honored six distinguished social work graduates and 112 student scholars. The Distinguished Young Alumni Award is awarded to an alumnus who graduated less than 10 years ago and demonstrates outstanding leadership and exceptional contributions to social work. Lovejoy, a three-time FSU graduate, earned a master’s in public safety and security in 2024, a Master of Social Work in 2020, and a bachelor’s in criminology and criminal justice in 2016 with a specialized focus on victimology and sex offenders/offenses. She has dedicated her career to focusing on the intersection of criminal justice and mental health. After serving as a sworn deputy, Lovejoy is currently working toward social work licensure as the substance abuse/behavioral health counselor at the Walton County Jail. Here, her primary focus is working with inmates on community re-entry transitions through the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Community Mental Health Initiative to bridge the gap in a county with limited support services. “We are beyond proud of Hailey and are fortunate to have her as a part of our team at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “Her desire to widen the scope of her knowledge is a sign of her commitment to our mission to help in the recovery of incarcerated individuals.” To read more about the College of Social Work at Florida State University Scholarship and Awards recipients, click here: https://lnkd.in/exTKdskP

DEPUTY OF THE QUARTER - OSCAR D'LASSALAS A newly promoted Sergeant, Oscar D'Lassalas is, first, a proud father of six and a dedicated husband. Sergeant D'Lassalas has been a valuable Walton County Sheriff's Office member for nine years and previously served in the Air Force. As a bilingual asset to the agency, D'Lassalas serves as an interpreter contributing to countless investigations, and consistently assists during calls for service. He is an active member of the agency's SWAT team and participates as a Task Force Officer for the United States Marshals Service. Before his recent promotion, Sergeant D'Lassalas was a Field Training Officer and is recognized by others as well-organized and always striving to be the best team member possible. He is currently enrolled in Emergency Medical Technician School, showing a desire to constantly improve while becoming a greater part of the organization's mission. A leader among his peers, D'Lassalas makes it a point to earn the respect of everyone he encounters. Through his consistent work ethic and outstanding attitude, he is committed to serving the residents and visitors of Walton County. Join us in congratulating him for earning Deputy of the 3rd Quarter.

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.