A Walton County sheriff’s deputy was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon while responding to a routine disturbance call at a Dollar General store, officials said. Deputy Will May, 38, died at North Okaloosa Medical Center at 7:10 p.m., roughly five hours after the violent encounter unfolded in Mossy Head, a small community in Northwest Florida. Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson Jr. delivered the somber news during an evening press conference, his voice heavy with grief as he recounted the loss of a dedicated officer who had given his life in service to the public. The tragedy struck a tight-knit law enforcement community and left a family shattered, as May leaves behind a wife and two teenage children who now face an unimaginable void.

The incident began around 2 p.m. when a call came into the Walton County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center reporting a disturbance and possible trespassing at the Dollar General on U.S. Highway 90 near Lancelot Road. Deputy May, who was not scheduled to work that day but had volunteered for an overtime shift, responded to what would become his final call. Sheriff Adkinson explained that May arrived at the store and encountered the suspect, engaging in a brief conversation that lasted no more than 15 seconds. The two stepped outside, and without warning, the suspect drew a firearm and opened fire. In the chaotic exchange that followed, at least 18 rounds were fired. May, despite being gravely wounded, returned fire and struck the suspect, who died at the scene. The suspect’s identity has not been released pending further investigation.

May, wearing body armor, managed to radio for help after neutralizing the threat. Within two minutes, another deputy arrived, followed swiftly by additional law enforcement and emergency responders from Walton County Fire Rescue and the Florida Highway Patrol. Despite their efforts and hours of medical intervention at the hospital, May succumbed to a single bullet that had slipped beneath his protective vest, striking a vital area. Sheriff Adkinson emphasized the deputy’s courage, noting that May fought valiantly to protect others even as he battled for his own life. “Will fought the entire time—from returning fire to fighting for his own survival,” Adkinson said, his words underscoring the bravery that defined May’s final moments.

Will May was no stranger to public service. A second-generation member of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, he followed in the footsteps of his parents—his father a retired assistant fire chief and his mother a former dispatcher. He joined the department in 2014 as a communications officer, a role that laid the foundation for his transition to deputy in 2019. By 2023, he had risen to the rank of field training officer, mentoring new deputies with the same dedication he brought to every aspect of his work. Colleagues described him as a steady presence, a man who embodied the values of integrity and selflessness. That he volunteered for overtime on what was supposed to be a day off only deepened the tragedy; Adkinson revealed that May’s wife had urged him to stay home that morning, a plea that now echoes with heartbreaking poignancy.

The aftermath of the shooting rippled through the region. Highway 90 was closed in both directions for hours as investigators processed the scene, though it has since reopened. Support poured in from neighboring agencies, including the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, DeFuniak Springs Police Department, and Fort Walton Beach Police Department, all of whom offered resources and condolences. Sheriff Adkinson, visibly shaken, asked the public for patience and understanding as his agency grapples with the loss. “We need a little bit of grace, a little bit of time to wrap our minds around this,” he said, his plea a raw reflection of a department in mourning.

For May’s family, the road ahead is one of profound sorrow. His two teenage children, now without their father, and his wife, who had hoped to see him return home safely, face a future forever altered. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office has vowed to honor May’s memory with the dignity and respect he deserves, planning a tribute that reflects his years of service and sacrifice. As the community processes this loss, the story of Deputy Will May stands as a stark reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face daily—and the human cost borne by those who stand on the front lines to protect others.