News & Updates
Caretaker Charged with Stealing Thousands from 94-Year Old Victim
ARREST REPORT An Alabama woman hired as a caretaker for a 94-year old Niceville resident is now charged with defrauding the man of nearly 12-thousand dollars over a six month period. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has charged 30-year old Megan LeAnn Burleson of...
OCSO Joins Neighbors to Enhance Public Safety
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce we are joining “Neighbors” public safety app in our ongoing efforts to connect with residents and boost the safety of our communities by helping solve crimes: Neighbors Public Service by Ring...
Okaloosa County Records Second Drowning in Three Days
Update: The victim of a drowning yesterday off the east side of Crab Island near Destin has been identified as 58-year old Rama Kannan of New York. The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is now investigating a second drowning that just took place off the east side of...
Drowning Victim Identified as Mississippi Tourist
A man who drowned Saturday while snorkeling near Destin’s west jetties has been identified as 29-year old Michael Cole of Byrum, Mississippi. Witnesses noticed Cole struggling in the water around 3 p.m. but were unable to get to him before he went under. CPR was...
OCSO Investigating Shooting Death of Mary Esther Man
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of a Mary Esther man last night at a home on Kimbrough Road. The 52-year old victim died at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center from a gunshot wound to the chest...
Man Charged with Firing Weapon Inside Home
ARREST REPORT Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a Fort Walton Beach area man this morning after he armed himself with two handguns and fired shots into a bedroom where a family member had locked himself inside. The man was not injured but one of the...
OCSO Investigating Laurel Hill Robbery
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an armed robbery that took place overnight at the Tom Thumb at 8200 Highway 85 North in Laurel Hill. The clerk says a man and woman wearing masks entered the store around 2:45 a.m. with a firearm and demanded...
OCSO Charges Two Mary Esther Residents with Keeping a Public Nuisance for Drug Activity
ARREST REPORTS The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has charged two people with keeping a public nuisance structure for drug activity following a search warrant conducted at a residence on Blackstone Road near Mary Esther. A search warrant was executed at 671...
OCSO Handles Crowded Memorial Weekend
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office handled more than 2600 calls for service between noon Friday, May 22nd and midnight May 25th. Here’s a sample of some of the types of calls that flooded the Communications Unit as large crowds packed area beaches, roads, and waters...
Motorist Finds Toddler in Diaper Crossing Highway 98 at Night
ARREST REPORT A driver on Highway 98 in Florosa Friday night spotted a two year old child wearing a diaper walking across Highway 98 alone around 11:30 p.m. An Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy familiar with the neighborhood went to a home where he knew there...
Teen Driver Fleeing Deputies Collides with House
ARREST REPORT A Niceville teen trying to get away from pursuing deputies ran into a home on Comfort Road in Mary Esther, causing damage to an outer brick wall. An Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted 17-year old Samantha Frazier driving down Lovejoy Road at...
One in Custody Following Shots Fired Chase
ARREST REPORT A Crestview man called 9-1-1 Thursday morning to report an angry friend was following his truck and shooting at him due to a failed drug deal. Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies were told two men in a red Ford truck were chasing and shooting at...
FWB Man Charged with DUI After Crashing into Pool Wall
A Fort Walton Beach man who crashed his truck through a wall around a condo’s swimming pool caused thousands of dollars in damage to the structure, but refused to conduct a field sobriety test for impaired driving or provide a breath sample to Okaloosa County...
Okaloosa Island Man Charged in Domestic Violence Aggravated Battery
ARREST REPORT The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has charged an Okaloosa Island man in connection with a domestic violence aggravated battery. 29-year old Kalen Branson of 480 Santa Rosa Boulevard was arrested early this morning after a deputy patrolling on Miracle...
Medical Examiner’s Office Finds No Evidence of Foul Play in Destin Death
An autopsy by the District One Medical Examiner’s Office today concluded there was no foul play in the death of a homeless man whose body was discovered yesterday morning near a wooded lot in Destin. Toxicology reports are pending. Deputies responded to the area near...
OCSO Investigating Suspicious Death in Destin
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a suspicious death near a wooded lot in Destin. Deputies were called to an area near 1021 U.S. Highway 98 around 9 a.m. after a 9-1-1 call in reference to a dead body discovered nearby. Investigators on the scene...
Deputy Pursues Stolen RV Down Dirt Road Before Nabbing Driver
ARREST REPORT The driver of a large RV reported stolen out of Crestview tried to ditch a pursuing deputy by dodging down dirt trails, but his getaway plans were ultimately foiled. 22-year old Jonathan Kendrick of Fort Walton Beach is charged with fleeing and eluding,...
FWB Woman Arrested After Child Found Covered in Fleas in Unsanitary Home
ARREST REPORT A Fort Walton Beach woman has been charged with child neglect after Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies found a six year old child covered with fleas inside a home scattered with dog feces. 58-year old Toni Reid was served a warrant May 1st. OCSO...
Bicyclist Injured After Entering Roadway in Front of Deputy
A teenage girl riding her bicycle on Ferdon Boulevard in Crestview was injured last night after entering the roadway directly in front of an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy. The deputy was headed south on Ferdon Boulevard near Cobb Road in the inside lane...
COVID-19 UPDATES & RESOURCES
COVID-19 UPDATES & RESOURCES World Health Organization Florida Department of Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention FEMA Coronavirus Rumor Control COVID-19 County Response Dashboard Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners Coronavirus Updates Florida...