Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Will May was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance at the Dollar General Market at 10738 US-90 in Defuniak Springs.
Around 2:00 p.m., Deputy May arrived at the store and, after talking to the subject, he decided to escort the man out of the store and not arrest him. As soon as they exited the building, the man pulled out a gun and shot Deputy May a few times. Deputy May returned fire and was able to call for back-up.
Deputy May was transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center with multiple gunshot wounds. One of the bullets went underneath his bulletproof vest, and he passed away over four hours later.
The suspect died at the scene.
Deputy May was working an overtime shift and was on his way home when he took the disturbance call. He had served with the Walton County Sheriff's Office for over 11 years, the last six of which were as a law enforcement officer. He is survived by his wife, four children, and parents. His mother and father retired from the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, four children, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-B21ACE26- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff May gave the Walton County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the DeFuniak Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff May.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William May is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Walton County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William May's cause is highlighted.
How William May Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William May is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William May was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Walton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
