Public Safety Operations Division

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Chief Deputy Dustin Cosson

The Public Safety Operations Division is responsible for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office’s core public safety functions and is led by Chief Deputy Dustin Cosson. The division encompasses law enforcement, fire rescue, detention operations, and animal services, providing integrated public safety services to the residents and visitors of Walton County.

Through coordinated operations and a shared commitment to service, the Public Safety Operations Division works to protect life and property, preserve public safety, and enhance the quality of life throughout Walton County.

The Law Enforcement Division, led by Major Dustin Cosson, is structured into three specialized bureaus: the Patrol Bureau, Criminal Investigations Bureau, and School Resource Bureau. Each bureau oversees a range of dedicated units, strategically assigned to carry out specific law enforcement functions. This organization ensures efficient operations and comprehensive coverage across the division’s responsibilities.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS

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Major Dustin Burlison

Law Enforcement Operations provides professional law enforcement and public safety services across Walton County through proactive policing and public safety initiatives. This division includes:

  • Patrol Bureau
  • Criminal Investigations Bureau
  • Juvenile Services Bureau (School Resources)
  • Animal Services Bureau

Through a commitment to service, accountability, and community partnerships, Law Enforcement Operations works to protect life, preserve public safety, and enhance the quality of life for the residents and visitors of Walton County.

Patrol Bureau

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Captain Scott Hogeboom

The Patrol Bureau is led by Captain Scott Hogeboom. This bureau is responsible for all four patrol districts in Walton County. Uniformed patrol deputies are assigned to each district based on calls for service, response time, crime rate, and population.

Patrol Districts

District 1: DeFuniak Springs, Paxton, and Mossy Head areas

District 2: Freeport, Choctaw Beach, Bruce, and Red Bay areas

District 3: County Road 393 to the Okaloosa County line

District 4: County Road 393 to the Bay County line

Each district is assigned a district lieutenant who will meet with citizens, civic organizations, victims, and business owners to share concerns. District lieutenants are also responsible for sharing trends of criminal activity occurring in the district and ensuring that citizens, visitors, victims, and outside agencies receive professional service. Please feel free to contact your district lieutenant for any assistance you may need.

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Lieutenant James Pitman District 1 jpitman@waltonso.org
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Lieutenant Tabitha Lecuyer District 2 lectabitha@waltonso.org
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Lieutenant James Maloy District 3 jmaloy@waltonso.org
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Lieutenant Jonathan Gaydos District 4 jgaydos@waltonso.org

Criminal Investigations Bureau

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Captain Ben Dowdy

The Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) is supervised by Captain Benjamin Dowdy. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office investigators in the Criminal Investigations Bureau handle major, multi-jurisdictional investigations and intelligence gathering on suspected criminals. All investigators work closely with outside agencies such as the Medical Examiner’s Office, Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Children and Family Services, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Fire Marshal’s Office, State Attorney’s Office, and other local, state, and national law enforcement agencies.

Criminal Investigations Bureau Units
  • Major Crimes
  • Narcotics
  • Evidence
  • Special Victim’s Unit
  • Domestic Violence
  • Cyber Crimes

Juvenile Services Bureau (SRD)

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Captain Chris Lehman

The Juvenile Services Bureau is led by Captain Christopher Lehman and is composed of over thirty dedicated deputies serving all public schools in Walton County, along with select private schools.

These deputies play a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of students, faculty, and staff while also fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and the community.

In addition to providing a strong security presence, school resource deputies mentor students, educate them on safety and legal matters, and work closely with school administrators to maintain a safe learning environment.

The bureau collaborates with local, state, and national agencies to enhance school safety initiatives and provide essential resources for crime prevention and emergency preparedness.

Animal Services Bureau

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Captain Angie Hogeboom

The Animal Services Division, led by Captain Angie Hogeboom, includes both the Walton County Animal Shelter and Walton County Animal Control. This division is dedicated to ensuring the welfare of animals in Walton County, providing shelter, care, and support for lost, stray, and abandoned animals.

Walton County Animal Shelter

The Walton County Animal Shelter is a public facility committed to offering a safe, temporary home for animals in need. The shelter’s dedicated staff provides compassionate care as they work to reunite lost pets with their owners or find them new, permanent homes through adoption or transfer to rescue partners.

Walton County Animal Control

Walton County Animal Control Officers respond to calls related to stray, lost, or abandoned animals throughout the county. They are responsible for safely capturing and transporting these animals to the Walton County Animal Shelter, ensuring that all animals are given the care and attention they need.

FIRE RESCUE OPERATIONS

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Fire Chief Jonathon Davis

Walton County Fire Rescue (WCFR) is commanded by Fire Chief Jonathon Davis. WCFR provides fire protection and suppression services to nine of the twelve fire districts located north of the Choctawhatchee Bay and provides EMS to all twelve districts, ensuring comprehensive pre-hospital care across the region.

Walton County Fire Districts
  • District 1: Paxton
  • District 2: Woodlawn and Pleasant Ridge
  • District 3: Gaskin and Darlington
  • District 4: DeFuniak Springs
  • District 5: Windswept
  • District 6: Glendale
  • District 7: Liberty
  • District 8: Redbay
  • District 9: Argyle
  • District 10: Choctaw Beach
  • District 11: Mossy Head
  • District 12: Freeport

JAIL OPERATIONS

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Major Taylor Park

The Jail Operations Division, overseen by Major Taylor Park, is responsible for providing the care, custody, and control of inmates incarcerated in the Walton County Jail. The Walton County Jail is an accredited 596-bed facility that is responsible for the housing, custody, and care of both male and female pre-trial and sentenced inmates. The facility receives and processes approximately 3,860 inmates per year with an average daily population of 500 inmates. The Walton County Jail is staffed 24/7 with detention deputies who provide care, custody, and control of the inmates at the Walton County Jail.

In an attempt to reduce recidivism, the Walton County Jail offers programs that enhance education and provide inmates with the opportunity to learn new trades.

Walton County Jail Programs
  • GED Program
  • Heavy Equipment Program
  • Parenting Classes
  • Farming Program
  • Mental Health Program

The primary goal of the Jail Operations Division is to protect and maintain the peace and security of the residents and visitors incarcerated at the Walton County Jail.