On Saturday afternoon, tragedy struck Okaloosa County, Florida when a Sheriff’s Deputy was killed in the line of duty.
Corporal Ray Hamilton, an 11-year veteran of the department, was part of a Special Response Team responding to a domestic violence call in Fort Walton Beach. Upon arriving to the residence, the suspect opened fire, fatally wounding Hamilton.
He was rushed to a hospital where he died from his injuries. The suspect was later found dead in the residence, however their identity is still unknown.
Law enforcement officers in Florida are grieving after one of their own was killed while trying to apprehend a suspect. 43-year-old Timothy Price-Williams was shot by other law enforcement personnel and is expected to survive.
Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden took to Facebook to express his condolences for the loss of Deputy Bill Hamilton, who was killed during the incident.
“We are devastated by the grief of losing Corporal Hamilton, a deputy who was a ray of sunshine in the OCSO, dedicated to protecting others. We appreciate the endless stream of words of support that have come in for his family and his co-workers as we face this heartbreaking loss of a profoundly loved and respected friend, public servant, and hero.“
Sheriff Aden asked for prayers for Hamilton’s family, particularly during the holiday season.