The City of Niceville recognized Officer Christopher Fulford for his efforts to save the life of Mike Ledford after he was stabbed and killed on February 11. 

Fulford, a recently promoted Niceville Police Officer, first arrived on the scene two minutes after a 911 call was placed to the department regarding a suspected shooting. 

According to a citation awarded to Fulford, who has served with the department for two years, the officer immediately began trying to save Ledford’s life. East Niceville Fire Chief David Birch, quoted in the citation, said “Officer Fulford’s quick arrival on the scene and life-saving efforts during this horrific incident increased the chances of victim the victim surviving his injury until he could get advanced medical assistance.”

The citation added that Fulford remained calm and determined to do all he knew to do to save a man’s life.”

Fulford thanked the council and the audience for the citation. “First of all, I would like to say thank you to everybody. That night was a group effort. I could not have done it without y’all,” Fulford said while gesturing to the police and fire personnel in the back of the council chambers, “seeing everybody come together was a beautiful thing, given the circumstances. I couldn’t ask for a better family back there.”

Fulford was the 2023 Niceville-Valpraiso Officer of the Year and the 2023 Mothers Against Drunk Driving award recipient. 

His wife, son and daughter were in the audience to see him receive his citation from the city. 

The Status of the Murder Investigation

Dylan Deschaine sits in the Okaloosa County Jail without bond, suspected of the murder of Michael Ledford. Deschaine’s next court appearance will occur on March 18, when he will enter a felony plea of guilty or not guilty. Assistant Public Defender Rachel Farkas represents Deschaine. Brooke Davis will represent State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden in the case.