Hurlburt Field
CRIME & SAFETY
Funeral begins for Roger Fortson, Black airman killed by deputy in Florida
A funeral has begun for a Black U.S. Air Force senior airman who was shot and killed in his Florida home by a sheriff’s deputy. Friday's funeral for Airman Roger Fortson, who died at age 23, comes a day after his mother vowed during an emotional news conference to get justice for her son. The service is at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in the Atlanta suburb of Stonecrest. Fortson grew up in the area before joining the Air Force. Two weeks after the shooting, the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office has yet to release an incident report, any 911 records or the officer’s identity, despite requests for the information under Florida’s open records act.
Crestview man charged following pursuit, search on State Road 85
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. -- A Crestview man is facing several charges following a multi-agency pursuit Wednesday in Okaloosa County. Malik Humphries, 24, is in the Okaloosa County jail on charges of fleeing and resisting arrest, among other things, including a hold on a charge out of Georgia. Florida Highway Patrol...
Frustration grows in Okaloosa County following two questionable officer involved shootings
Okaloosa County community activist Debra Riley has had enough of aggressive and what she sees as racially biased policing in the place she calls home. "I'm so tired of being tired of this," said the one-time Fort Walton Beach City Council candidate. "I can tell you the community is very frustrated. They feel it."
Visitor drowns in Destin after lifeguards go off duty
With double-red flags flying, a man in his mid-70s drowned off the beaches of Destin on Tuesday evening. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a “distressed swimmer call” after 6 p.m. on May 14 at 1006 East Highway 98, near Jade East Towers. “A gentleman in...
'It can happen to you': Billboards in Northwest Florida warn of fentanyl's deadly impact
PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Several new billboards across Northwest Florida are warning about the dangers of fentanyl. The project is organized by those who've lost loved ones to drugs. "For some reason I was left here to be their voices," said Cherie Hoffman, whose son died from fentanyl poisoning. Hoffman's son...
“Think before you dive”: HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital raises awareness of shallow diving dangers with new signage
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has launched a new beach safety and injury prevention campaign in collaboration with their trauma department to raise awareness about the dangers of shallow diving in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area. As part of the initiative, new “Think before you dive” signs have been added...
Fallen Walton, Okaloosa officers honored at memorial service in Niceville
NICEVILLE, Fla. (WMBB) — Law enforcement from across the region gathered at Northwest Florida State College Wednesday for Peace Officers Memorial Day. A memorial candle lit service on campus honored law enforcement officers killed in action from both Okaloosa and Walton counties. “They left behind grieving families, friends, and a community that relied on them […]
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