The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office protects 180,000+ year round residents and many thousands of tourists with a full range of Law Enforcement services.The Administrative Building of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is located in Shalimar. Two full service offices are located at the Courthouse Annex in Shalimar, and in Crestview. Smaller substations are maintained in Destin, Bluewater Bay, Okaloosa Island, Sylvania Heights, Baker, Laurel Hill and Hetherington.
Brief history of Sheriffs in Okaloosa County:
- Eric Aden – 2021 – Present
- Larry Ashley – 2010 – 2020
- Ed Spooner – 2009 – 2010
- Charlie Morris – 1997 – 2009
- Larry Gilbert – 1982 – 1996
- Frankie Mills – 1977 – 1981
- Ray Wilson 1956 – 1976
- H. Isle Enzor – 1953 – 1956 (Died in office)
- James A. McArthur – 1950 – 1953
- Ferrin C. Campbell – 1950
- H. Isle Enzor – 1941 – 1950
- John P. Steele – 1933 – 1941
- L.H. Hughes – 1930 – 1933
- P.J. Steel – appointed to serve after Summerlin passed away and served until 1930.
- J.M. Summerlin – took office in 1921 and was killed in a train wreck shortly after he took office.
- B.H. Sutton – the first Sheriff of Okaloosa County. Appointed in 1915 and served until 1921.
Okaloosa County is located in Northwest Florida, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the south and the State of Alabama to the North. The emerald Gulf waters and open stretches of beaches are among the most beautiful in the United States . Along with boundless water activity, residents and tourists can enjoy deep sea fishing, links of golf and multiple family recreational activities.
Okaloosa County was created by the Florida State Legislature in 1915, from parts of Santa Rosa and Walton Counties. Okaloosa County extends from the Gulf of Mexico along a stunning section of Florida’s Northwest Florida coastline to the Alabama state line. The name chosen for Okaloosa County was derived from the Indian words variously interpreted as “black water”, “pleasant place”, or a “place of rest”. The economy is based primarily on the defense industry, tourism, agriculture and forestry. Okaloosa County encompasses a total area of 1,082 square miles of which 936 square miles is land and 146 square miles is water. It is also home to Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, Duke Field, and soon the Army’s 7th Special Forces Group.
With its patriotic history, scenic beauty, and diverse population of locals and tourists, Okaloosa County is a wonderful place to work and play, raise a family, retire, or just come to visit.
