DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, FL – A tragic shootout unfolded on a quiet afternoon, claiming the life of a dedicated deputy who was not even scheduled to work that day. Deputy May, a devoted family man and respected member of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, was fatally wounded after a confrontation with a gunman outside a local store.
The incident began as Deputy May, who had been working overtime, was on his way home. Stopping at the scene just after 2 p.m., he encountered a suspect causing a disturbance. Despite his efforts to calmly resolve the situation, the suspect opened fire as they exited the building. Deputy May returned fire, fatally striking the assailant, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sheriff Michael Atkinson, visibly moved during a press conference, emphasized that Deputy May had acted with utmost professionalism and that no tactical errors were made. “I’ve been in this business 32 years,” Atkinson stated, “There is nothing I would have done differently. There was no indication whatsoever that this would have ended in that kind of violence.”
Deputy May was wearing a bulletproof vest, which shielded him from some of the gunfire. Tragically, one bullet found its mark beneath the vest, leading to injuries that proved fatal. He was rushed to North Okaloosa Medical Center, where he underwent surgery for four hours but succumbed to his injuries just after 7 p.m.
The community mourns the loss of Deputy May, who leaves behind a wife and two teenage children. A second-generation law enforcement officer, May joined the department in 2014, following in the footsteps of his parents, both of whom served in public safety roles.
Sheriff Atkinson stated the focus now is to honor Deputy May’s service and sacrifice. “Today’s disturbance would not have ended up in an arrest,” he noted, underscoring the senselessness of the violence.
In a solemn procession, Deputy May’s body was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, escorted by a long line of law enforcement vehicles. This marks a somber moment for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, as Deputy May is the fourth member of the department to die in the line of duty, the first since 1942.