The Public Safety Operations Division is responsible for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office’s core public safety functions and is led by Chief Deputy Dustin Cosson. The division encompasses law enforcement, fire rescue, detention operations, and animal services, providing integrated public safety services to the residents and visitors of Walton County.

The Public Safety Operations Division is responsible for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office’s core public safety functions and is led by Chief Deputy Dustin Cosson. The division encompasses law enforcement, fire rescue, detention operations, and animal services, providing integrated public safety services to the residents and visitors of Walton County. Through coordinated operations and a shared commitment to service, the Public Safety Operations Division works to protect life and property, preserve public safety, and enhance the quality of life throughout Walton County. The Law Enforcement Division, led by Major Dustin Cosson, is structured into three specialized bureaus: the Patrol Bureau, Criminal Investigations Bureau, and School Resource Bureau. Each bureau oversees a range of dedicated units, strategically assigned to carry out specific law enforcement functions. This organization ensures efficient operations and comprehensive coverage across the division’s responsibilities. Law Enforcement Operations provides professional law enforcement and public safety services across Walton County through proactive policing and public safety initiatives. This division includes: Through a commitment to service, accountability, and community partnerships, Law Enforcement Operations works to protect life, preserve public safety, and enhance the quality of life for the residents and visitors of Walton County. The Patrol Bureau is led by Captain Scott Hogeboom. This bureau is responsible for all four patrol districts in Walton County. Uniformed patrol deputies are assigned to each district based on calls for service, response time, crime rate, and population. District 1: DeFuniak Springs, Paxton, and Mossy Head areas District 2: Freeport, Choctaw Beach, Bruce, and Red Bay areas District 3: County Road 393 to the Okaloosa County line District 4: County Road 393 to the Bay County line Each district is assigned a district lieutenant who will meet with citizens, civic organizations, victims, and business owners to share concerns. District lieutenants are also responsible for sharing trends of criminal activity occurring in the district and ensuring that citizens, visitors, victims, and outside agencies receive professional service. Please feel free to contact your district lieutenant for any assistance you may need. The Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) is supervised by Captain Benjamin Dowdy. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office investigators in the Criminal Investigations Bureau handle major, multi-jurisdictional investigations and intelligence gathering on suspected criminals. All investigators work closely with outside agencies such as the Medical Examiner’s Office, Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Children and Family Services, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Fire Marshal’s Office, State Attorney’s Office, and other local, state, and national law enforcement agencies. The Juvenile Services Bureau is led by Captain Christopher Lehman and is composed of over thirty dedicated deputies serving all public schools in Walton County, along with select private schools. These deputies play a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of students, faculty, and staff while also fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and the community. In addition to providing a strong security presence, school resource deputies mentor students, educate them on safety and legal matters, and work closely with school administrators to maintain a safe learning environment. The bureau collaborates with local, state, and national agencies to enhance school safety initiatives and provide essential resources for crime prevention and emergency preparedness. The Animal Services Division, led by Captain Angie Hogeboom, includes both the Walton County Animal Shelter and Walton County Animal Control. This division is dedicated to ensuring the welfare of animals in Walton County, providing shelter, care, and support for lost, stray, and abandoned animals. The Walton County Animal Shelter is a public facility committed to offering a safe, temporary home for animals in need. The shelter’s dedicated staff provides compassionate care as they work to reunite lost pets with their owners or find them new, permanent homes through adoption or transfer to rescue partners. Walton County Animal Control Officers respond to calls related to stray, lost, or abandoned animals throughout the county. They are responsible for safely capturing and transporting these animals to the Walton County Animal Shelter, ensuring that all animals are given the care and attention they need. Walton County Fire Rescue (WCFR) is commanded by Fire Chief Jonathon Davis. WCFR provides fire protection and suppression services to nine of the twelve fire districts located north of the Choctawhatchee Bay and provides EMS to all twelve districts, ensuring comprehensive pre-hospital care across the region. The Jail Operations Division, overseen by Major Taylor Park, is responsible for providing the care, custody, and control of inmates incarcerated in the Walton County Jail. The Walton County Jail is an accredited 596-bed facility that is responsible for the housing, custody, and care of both male and female pre-trial and sentenced inmates. The facility receives and processes approximately 3,860 inmates per year with an average daily population of 500 inmates. The Walton County Jail is staffed 24/7 with detention deputies who provide care, custody, and control of the inmates at the Walton County Jail. In an attempt to reduce recidivism, the Walton County Jail offers programs that enhance education and provide inmates with the opportunity to learn new trades. The primary goal of the Jail Operations Division is to protect and maintain the peace and security of the residents and visitors incarcerated at the Walton County Jail. Walton County Sheriff's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Walton County Sheriff's Office will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Veterans are encouraged to apply. Pursuant to applicable state and federal law, preference and priority shall be given to certain service members and veterans (including spouses and family members of such service members and veterans), and certain service members may be eligible for waiver of post-secondary educational requirements as provided in Chapter 295, Florida Statutes. Copyright © 2026 Walton County Sheriff's Office. All Rights Reserved. Proudly made and managed in America by CYSY.