Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Underwater
Investigation Unit was formed to provide a means to search for and recover items
from local waterways. The Underwater investigation Unit provides the law
enforcement, emergency medical services and fire departments of Okaloosa County
with a group of highly skilled individuals who can conduct search and recovery
missions as well as crime scene investigations underwater. Unit is responsible for all evidence and body recovery dives in
Okaloosa County. Through the use of various search patterns and techniques the
Underwater Investigation Unit searches for items of all sizes and variety, from
an item as big as an aircraft to as small as a single bullet casing. The Unit
is also equipped with an underwater video camera, and still camera to document
crime scenes.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office
Underwater Investigation Unit was formed in 1995 and currently consists of five full-time deputies
including the Unit Commander, 1 part-time deputy assigned as surface support,
and four volunteers. Sgt. Jon Bush is the current Unit Commander. Sgt.
Bush is a certified Police Diver Instructor as well as a recreational SCUBA
Instructor. New volunteers who join must meet the same standards as
the deputies assigned to the unit. This means they must be members of the
Sheriff's Posse for two years before they can apply. The unit also has three
Paramedics who 
are divers
and are on loan from the Okaloosa
County Emergency Medical Services.
The Underwater Investigation Unit dives in a variety of water conditions and in any climate. From time to time the unit is treated to a dive in the beautiful Gulf waters, usually as part of their training. However, most of the dives are made in the lakes, bayous and rivers of Okaloosa County where visibility is almost nonexistent.
In partnership with Emergency Management, The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office also has a Swift Water Rescue Unit. The Unit, formed during Hurricane Georges was initially designed to rescue victims of flash flooding. However, the training provided to the unit has allowed them to assist in the rescue of victims trapped in impassable streams, rivers, and swamps. The Swift Water Rescue and Marine Units of the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office are credited with saving several lives during Hurricane Georges.
The Underwater Investigation Unit is assigned to the Destin District Office. If you have any questions concerning the the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Underwater Investigation Unit, please call (850) 609-2094.
Okaloosa County Sheriff's
Office
1250 North Eglin Parkway
Shalimar, FL 32579
(850) 651-7410