OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

A collective bargaining negotiation meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (CST). The meeting will be held at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office downtown DeFuniak Springs office located at 37 S 10th Street, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435.

The purpose of this meeting is collective bargaining between the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and the Professional Firefighters of Walton County, Local 4413, International Association of Fire Fighters.

The Walton County Sheriff adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable modifications for access to these meetings upon request. Requests may be made to the Human Resources Manager at 850-892-8111 x.3215 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

WALTON COUNTY, FLA— A physician is behind bars in Walton County after a Grand Jury indictment connected to the operating room death of an Alabama man.

The Office of the State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit announced that a Walton County Grand Jury has returned an indictment charging Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky with second-degree manslaughter in the August 2024 death of a 70‑year‑old man from Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

The indictment follows an extensive investigation conducted by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with the Office of the State Attorney First Judicial Circuit and additional state and medical authorities.

On August 21, 2024, during what was scheduled to be a laparoscopic splenectomy, Dr. Shaknovsky removed the victim’s liver instead of his spleen, resulting in catastrophic blood loss and the patient’s death on the operating table.

The Grand Jury found probable cause to charge that the actions taken in the operating room constituted criminal conduct under Florida law.

“Our duty is to follow the facts wherever they lead, without fear or favor,” said Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “The Grand Jury has spoken, and our responsibility is to ensure the charges are carried out through the proper legal process. Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family and their unspeakable loss.

“We are committed to seeing this case through with the professionalism and integrity our community expects.”

Dr. Shaknovsky was taken into custody in Miramar Beach on Monday morning and was transported to the Walton County Jail, where he awaits first appearance.

Before the start of school on March 24th, WCSO deputies and officers from the DeFuniak Springs Police Department responded to reports of a stabbing on campus.

A School Resource Deputy was already on site and immediately responded and notified school staff. Minutes later, the juvenile suspect, identified as a 12-year-old Walton Middle School student, was detained a block from the school. A knife was found in a retention pond nearby.

Two students and one adult, a paraprofessional, were transported for injuries. The paraprofessional was treated and released. The students remain hospitalized at this time.

Walton County Fire Rescue provided immediate medical care to all three victims on scene. One patient was transported by AirHeart 2 to a local hospital, while the other two victims were transported by Walton County Fire Rescue via ambulance.

Following further investigation and a review of school surveillance footage, the suspect has been formally charged with attempted murder, two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, wearing a mask during the commission of a felony, tampering with evidence, and disrupting a school function.

The suspect is currently being held with no bond in secure juvenile detention in Crestview.

“This incident was brought under control within minutes due to the swift response of our School Resource Deputy, patrol deputies, and our partners at the DeFuniak Springs Police Department,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “We remain committed to supporting the victims, their families, and the Walton Middle School community as this case moves forward.”

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to Walton County Fire Rescue, DeFuniak Springs Fire Department, DeFuniak Springs Police Department, AirHeart 2, and Walton County Emergency Management for their swift response and assistance on scene and at the reunification site.

This remains an active investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Walton County Sheriff’s Office had a School Resource Deputy on campus, and additional patrol deputies responded, as well as officers from the DeFuniak Springs Police Department.

At 7:30 am, a suspect, a Walton Middle School student, was detained a block from the school.

Two students and one adult were transported with injuries.

Class at Walton Middle School was cancelled for Tuesday.

“Our first priority, along with Walton County School District was to ensure that students and staff were safe, the situation was brought under control, and accurate information was relayed to parents regarding reunification,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson.

Additional information will be released when it is available. We appreciate the public’s patience as we continue our investigation.

A quick call from a watchful neighbor and a strong multi-agency response helped knock down a fast-moving house fire in the Villa Tasso community this morning.

At 7:44 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026, Walton County Fire Rescue crews were dispatched to a residence on Magnolia Street after a neighbor spotted thick black smoke rising from a nearby mobile home. Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived on scene to find flames engulfing a single-wide mobile home.

Walton County Fire Rescue firefighters arrived moments later and immediately began deploying fire attack lines. With assistance from Eglin Air Force Base Fire Department and North Bay Fire District, crews were able to quickly knock down the flames, preventing them from spreading to other nearby homes.

The homeowner told officials he had stepped out to walk his dog and returned to find his home burning. The American Red Cross has been contacted to assist the displaced resident and his pet.

No injuries were reported. The State Fire Marshal’s Office will be investigating the cause of the fire.

“We’re incredibly thankful the homeowner and his dog were not inside when the fire broke out,” said Fire Chief Austin Pugh. “Our crews, along with our partner agencies, worked quickly to keep the fire contained. Their teamwork helped prevent what could have been a much larger loss for this community.”

Walton County Fire Rescue responded to a reported structure fire this afternoon on Jim Roberts Road in Bruce.

At 1:13 p.m. on March 18, 2026, WCFR crews and Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched after a neighbor called 911 reporting smoke and flames coming from a nearby home. Deputies arrived to find a single-story residence fully engulfed, with the fire threatening nearby structures. Firefighters arrived shortly after and immediately launched an aggressive attack.

Crews were able to bring the fire under control in less than 30 minutes, preventing it from spreading to neighboring homes.

Fortunately, the resident made it out of the home safely and was not injured.

The fire is believed to have been caused by a malfunctioning space heater.

Walton County Fire Rescue reminds residents to use caution when operating heating devices. Keep anything flammable at least three feet away from heat sources and never leave space heaters unattended.

WALTON COUNTY, Fla— A Walton County Sheriff’s Office jail employee has been arrested following a criminal investigation revealing she engaged in sexual conduct with an inmate at the Walton County Jail.

On February 18th, WCSO investigators received information regarding an inappropriate relationship between Kelly Jo Johnson, 56, of Bonifay, a kitchen employee at the Walton County Jail, and an inmate assigned to kitchen duties. The information prompted an internal and criminal investigation.

Investigators conducted a series of interviews, reviewed recorded jail phone calls, examined surveillance video, and collected additional evidence. The investigation determined there was probable cause to believe Johnson engaged in unlawful physical contact with the inmate inside a secured area of the jail and communicated with him outside the scope of her duties using methods intended to evade monitoring.

Johnson was terminated from employment at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, February 27th. She had been with the agency since October 2025.

The evidence was presented to the State Attorney’s Office, and an arrest warrant was issued for Johnson, who turned herself into the Walton County Jail on March 4 at 10 pm. She is charged with felony sexual misconduct between detention facility employees and inmates.

“These actions are a betrayal of the professionalism and ethical standards we expect of every employee,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “When someone abuses their position of trust, we will take swift and decisive action. No one is above the law – civilian or sworn – who works at this agency.”

Additional administrative reviews remain ongoing. More information will be released once it’s available.

WALTON COUNTY, FLA— A 20-year-old Mossy Head man is facing more than 20 charges related to the possession and transmission of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).  

The arrest follows a search warrant done by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau Cyber Crimes Unit early Wednesday morning on Honeysuckle Street in Mossy Head.

The search warrant was the result of an extensive investigation into a tips sent to our agency from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding a social media user who actively sought out, downloaded, and sent CSAM.

The username and email led investigators to Kadyn DeWayne Ainsworth. It was discovered that Ainsworth had been seeking out CSAM on various platforms before downloading and even distributing the material to other users that included children from 4-10 years old.

Ainsworth also asked for videos to include incestual topics and age ranges of 10-16 years old asking, “not too young bc I like to see them feel and know what’s happening yk.”

He faces 10 counts of possession of child pornography, 10 counts of transmitting child pornography, and one count of using a two-way communication device in the commission of a felony. Following his arrest, Ainsworth was given an $85,000 bond and is still incarcerated at the time of this release.

WALTON COUNTY, FLA— Beginning Thursday, February 19^th, Walton County Sheriff’s Office is introducing a new victim notification system designed to keep crime victims informed throughout the entire criminal justice process.

This enhanced system, powered by VINE® and Versaterm CommunityConnect, provides automated updates from the initial 9-1-1 call through key stages such as judicial proceedings, incarceration, protective orders, and release.

This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting victims by improving communication and ensuring they receive timely, consistent updates. The goal is to promote safety, awareness, and peace of mind for those impacted by crime while also opening the door for feedback regarding interactions.

When a crime victim calls 9-1-1, their phone number is entered into our computer-aided dispatch system. From that point on, they will receive notifications throughout the investigation. If they register with VINE, updates will continue through the offender’s incarceration and any parole or release events.

By combining these tools, victims receive near real-time notifications from the moment an incident occurs through the post-arrest judicial process. This bridges the gap in communication and helps victims feel supported every step of the way.

VINE is the nation’s leading victim notification network, providing secure updates on offender custody status in more than 45 states. Victims and concerned individuals can check custody status and sign up for notifications by phone, online, or through a mobile app.

Versaterm CommunityConnect complements VINE by keeping individuals informed from the moment an incident is reported, offering real-time updates during investigations and mobile-friendly surveys to help us improve.

More information on VINE and Versaterm can be found here: https://vine.equifax.com/eevn-vine-versaterm

A good Samaritan’s quick decision to call 911 set a rapid emergency response in motion this evening after flames were spotted coming from a home in Darlington.

At approximately 4:48 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026, Walton County Fire Rescue and Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a residence on Highway 2 West after a passing motorist reported the fire. Fortunately, the owner was able to make it out of the home safely before first responders arrived.

When Walton County Fire Rescue Engine 3 made it on scene, firefighters encountered a single-story residence approximately 70 percent involved with fire. Crews immediately began suppression efforts, joined by volunteer firefighters from the Liberty and Argyle fire districts, working quickly to knock down the flames.

The home sustained extensive fire damage.

The homeowner reported minor burns but declined medical treatment at the scene. He told firefighters the fire started while he was attempting to light a wood-burning heater inside the home.

“We’re thankful the homeowner was able to escape safely,” said Walton County Fire Rescue Fire Chief Austin Pugh. “This incident is a reminder of how quickly fire can spread, especially when heating sources are involved.”

American Red Cross assistance was offered to the homeowner, but he declined, stating he had belongings at a nearby family member’s home.

Walton County Fire Rescue reminds residents not to use heat accelerants when lighting wood-burning heaters or fireplaces and always follow proper fire-safety guidelines.