SHALIMAR — Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley today presented the OCSO award for exemplary performance to the entire Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division.
The award focuses on the work by the division after their coworker, Deputy Bill Myers, was killed in the line of duty four months ago. Personnel of the OCSO Criminal Investigations Section, the Special Investigations Section, Crime Scene and K9 responded and participated in either the investigation, pursuit, containment, evacuation, apprehension or other critical or necessary functions involving Deputy Myers, as well as the suspect who took his life.
In an OSCO media release, Sheriff Larry Ashley stated, "Under extraordinarily tough circumstances, investigators rushed to the scene, relayed information, and took part in attempts to capture the suspect as he tried to get away on Highway 85.
"CID personnel worked to manage and control multiple crime scenes, evidence, and witnesses and provide comfort to family members while grieving themselves."
In the release, Ashley also stated, "Inv. Grady Carpenter was lead investigator for the crime scene in Shalimar, and Inv. Steve Weyer for the scene in Niceville.
"Their actions and professionalism were nothing less than outstanding."
He said the division performed numerous tasks, "without question or complaint, for many hours under one of the most stressful situations imaginable. In fact, as their captain, Mike Card, outlined, they performed in such stellar fashion that their efforts should stand as an example to law enforcement personnel across the nation." The Criminal Investigations Division is awarded our agency award for Exemplary Performance," Ashley stated.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Sheriff's Criminal Investigations Division wins award