January 2023 Blues Vol 39 No. 1

AROUND THE COUNTRY yrs.

AROUND THE COUNTRY yrs. FORT WALTON BEACH, FL. Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Corporal Ray Hamilton was killed on Christmas after a suspect opened fire on him. FORT WALTON BEACH, Fl. — A tragedy took place on Christmas Eve after a Florida deputy was killed when a man shot him from inside his home. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said Corporal Ray Hamilton and other deputies were at 710 North Park Boulevard at around 9 a.m., preparing to serve an arrest warrant for a domestic battery charge to 43-year old Timothy Price-Williams. The victim said on Saturday morning, Price-Williams had slapped her in the face and shoved her during an argument the night before, taking away her phone so she could not call 911. The response team said it surrounded the townhouse and tried to negotiate with Price-Williams to give himself up peacefully. Several deputies, including Cpl. Hamilton, entered an area behind the backyard fence of the premises to help establish a safe perimeter. However, the sheriff’s office said once the teams got into position, Price-Williams opened fire from his window at around 12:40 p.m., Cpl. Hamilton was struck. Price-Williams eventually stepped out of his home. The sheriff’s office said the way Price-Williams stepped out of his home, caused another deputy to fire at him, hitting him in the arm. The sheriff’s office said Price-Williams medical attention at the hospital and was then transported to the jail. Cpl. Hamilton was rushed to HCA Fort Walton Beach - Destin Hospital where he died from his injury shortly after 3 p.m. Prince-Williams faces charges of first-degree premeditated murder. Cpl. Hamilton was a five-year veteran with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. “We are devastated by the grief of losing Corporal Hamilton, a deputy who was a ray of sunshine in the OCSO, dedicated to protecting others,” said Sheriff Eric Aden. “We appreciate CORPORAL RAY HAMILTON the endless stream of words of support that have come in for his family and his co-workers as we face this heartbreaking loss of a profoundly loved and respected friend, public servant, and hero .” 36 The BLUES The BLUES 37