Quick Thinking Shields Family as Police Close In on Fleeing Suspect
A coordinated police response led to the arrest of a suspect after an attempted carjacking, a stolen vehicle pursuit, and burglary of an occupied home.
Cold Case Resolution After 53 Years: Debra Espey
Nearly 53 years later, Debra Espey’s 1973 death case is closed after the suspect, Dennis Murphy died. Family expresses relief and closure.
Blueprint for the Nation: Florida’s Immigration Operation Breaks Records
Florida’s Operation Tidal Wave surpasses 10,000 arrests, marking a historic milestone in state-federal immigration enforcement.
Fort Walton Beach Police Open Doors with Citizens’ Police Academy
The Fort Walton Beach Police Department is launching its next Citizens’ Police Academy on Feb. 5, offering residents a behind-the-scenes look at policing.
Okaloosa Investigators Uncover Juvenile Trafficking Linked to Social Media
Two Okaloosa County residents were arrested after investigators linked them to the sex trafficking of juvenile girls at local bars and through social media.
Largest Missing Child Operation in North Florida History
A U.S. Marshals-led operation recovered 43 critically missing children across North Florida, marking the region’s most successful child recovery effort.
Hope in the Cold: How Local Leaders Protect the Unhoused
When winter temperatures drop below 40 degrees in Fort Walton Beach, a coordinated effort between One Hopeful Place and the Fort Walton Beach Police Department springs into action to protect people experiencing homelessness from dangerous conditions.
Gunfire Erupts on Dates Avenue, Two Injured Inside Fort Walton Beach Home
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an early morning shooting on Dates Avenue in Fort Walton Beach after unknown suspects fired multiple rounds into a home, injuring two people inside.
Shocking Child Abuse Case in Fort Walton Beach
Deputies say a Fort Walton Beach–area woman intentionally burned the hands of two young children in her care and failed to seek medical help afterward. The 3- and 5-year-old victims were taken to Destin–Fort Walton Beach Hospital late Tuesday before being transferred to a specialized burn center in Mobile. The suspect, 52-year-old Jeny Soto Duenas, is now being held without bond at the Okaloosa County Jail.
Repeat Offender From Niceville Gets 15-Year Federal Sentence for Child Pornography
A Niceville man with a prior child pornography conviction has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after investigators discovered thousands of child sexual abuse images and videos on dozens of devices in his home. Federal and local law enforcement officials say the case highlights the importance of coordinated efforts to protect children from online exploitation.
