Walton County Sheriff's Deputy Will May, a 38-year-old Caucasian male, was fatally shot on April 2, 2025, while responding to a disturbance call at a Dollar General store in Mossy Head, Florida. The incident occurred around 2:00 p.m. when Deputy May arrived at the store to address a reported disturbance. After briefly speaking with the suspect inside the store, he escorted the individual outside. As they exited the building, the suspect suddenly drew a firearm and opened fire on Deputy May, who managed to return fire before sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. Despite wearing a ballistic vest that stopped several rounds, one bullet struck him in an area not protected by the vest.
The suspect, whose identity has not been publicly released, was pronounced dead at the scene following the exchange of gunfire. Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson Jr. later confirmed that the suspect had no prior violent history and had only interacted with law enforcement for welfare checks. The suspect had been living in the area for several years and was a concealed carry license holder. Authorities believe the firearm used in the shooting was legally purchased and carried. Additional weapons were discovered at the suspect’s residence.
Deputy May was transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center in Crestview, approximately 17 miles away, where medical personnel worked tirelessly for nearly four hours to save his life. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries at 7:10 p.m. that evening. Sheriff Adkinson described May’s determination, stating that he fought for his life until the very end. The deputy had served with the Walton County Sheriff's Office for over 11 years, with the last six years as a law enforcement officer. He was working an overtime shift and was on his way home when he decided to respond to the disturbance call.
Deputy May, a devoted husband and father, is survived by his wife, four children, and parents. His mother and father had previously retired from the Walton County Sheriff's Office. His passing marks a tragic loss for the community and law enforcement, as he was widely respected for his dedication and service. The Walton County Sheriff's Office honored him with a social media post stating, "Deputy William May. End of Watch April 2, 2025." His death adds to the growing number of law enforcement officers killed or injured in the line of duty this year.
