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Incident
Corporal Ray Hamilton was shot and killed during a barricade at the 710 block of North Park Boulevard in Wright.
Deputies had responded to the apartment at about 9:00 am to investigate a domestic assault that had occurred the previous night. The suspect refused to exit the home, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Special Response Team responded to the scene. The man fired out of a window at about 12:40 pm, striking Corporal Hamilton.
Corporal Hamilton was transported to Fort Walton Beach - Destin Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds several hours later.
The subject was charged with premeditated first-degree murder.
Corporal Hamilton had served with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office for five years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, brother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corporal Hamilton gave the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Shalimar community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Hamilton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department has lost 8 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Ray is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Ray is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ray is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2022, 1 officer at Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 2009, with 2.
In 2022, 4 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 2022, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2022, 84 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ray was 34. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 44; the middle age was 44. Ray had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Ray was 34. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Ray had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Ray was 34. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ray had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ray was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ray had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 20% of these deaths at Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department; April holds the most, 40%. Saturdays: 60%.
December holds 9.3% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Saturdays: 20.1%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 80% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department has 8 officers remembered here, Ray among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
