HOLT, Fla., April 3, 2025—The route home to Walton County from Pensacola was lined with people as the body of Walton County Sheriff’s Office Deputy William May was escorted back to DeFuniak Springs this afternoon.

People gathered along bridges and overpasses on Interstate 10 in honor of the fallen deputy as a procession of more than 100 law enforcement and first responder vehicles, with lights flashing, passed underneath.

Holt Fire District positioned fire engines with lights flashing on both Garner Landing Road and Wilkerson Bluff Road and were joined by local residents to give tribute to Deputy May.

Yesterday, May responded to a disturbance call at a Doller General at U.S. Highway 90 in Mossy Head around 2 p.m.

He made contact with the suspect who, within seconds, walked out of the store, turned and fired multiple rounds at May as he followed the suspect out of the store.

May returned fire. The suspect died at the scene.

According to Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson, May’s ballistic vest stopped multiple rounds, but one got under his vest which ultimately caused his death.

May was transported to the North Okaloosa Medical Center where surgeons and doctors worked for four hours to save the deputy’s life. He passed away at 7:30 p.m. yesterday.

May was transported to the Clary-Glenn Funeral Home in DeFuniak Springs.