On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2022, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Ray Hamilton made the ultimate sacrifice while attempting to take a domestic violence suspect into custody at a residence on North Park Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach. Cpl. Hamilton, along with other members of the OCSO Special Response Team, entered an area behind the residence in an effort to establish a safe perimeter. Once they got into position, shots were fired from inside the home and Cpl. Hamilton was struck. He was rushed to HCA Fort Walton Beach-Destin Hospital where he succumbed to his injury shortly after 3 p.m.
Some may find that during a tragedy it can be difficult to figure out how and where you can help. Many citizens have reached out to members of the Sheriff’s Office asking how they can donate to Cpl. Hamilton’s family. If anyone feels compelled to donate to the family, they may do so in one of the following ways:
1. Use the official OCSO Sheriff’s Star Charity PayPal link at: https://www.paypal.com/donate/…;
2. Drop off a donation payable to the OCSO Sheriff’s Star Charity at the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters front desk at 50 2nd St., Shalimar, Florida during normal office hours (Mon-Fri 8AM-4:30PM);
3. Contact Community Resource Deputy Brian Muhlbach at (850) 651-7410 x2539 or bmuhlbach@sheriff-okaloosa.org to arrange for pickup of your donation.
Citizens are also cautioned to beware of potential scams which prey on tragedies like these. At this time, the above methods are the only official donation avenues for the OCSO Sheriff’s Star Charity.
The OCSO Sheriff’s Star Charity was formed in 2014 to help Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office employees and families in need. Since its inception, the Star Charity has provided financial support and other assistance to the families of fallen officers as well as to many other charitable causes.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the outpouring of love and support from our wonderful community We ask that you continue to keep Cpl. Hamilton’s family and co-workers in your thoughts and prayers.
For funeral information visit Funeral Arrangements for Fallen OCSO Corporal Ray Hamilton | Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (sheriff-okaloosa.org)
