July 23, 2020

WALTON COUNTY, Fla— The thin blue line is mourning a loss of one of their own this morning after a Mississippi deputy drowned in the Gulf over the weekend.

Sunday evening, Walton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a water rescue on the beach at Sandestin Resort.

A 33-year-old was pulled from the water after saving his 10-year-old son who was in distress. The boy was able to make it back to shore, but the father was pulled back out into the water.

The victim, positively identified as William K. Nichols, was eventually pulled from the water and CPR was initiated. He was transported to Sacred Heart where he was pronounced deceased.

Nichols was a deputy sheriff for DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department who served the people of Mississippi. His last act of service was rescuing his own son.

Walton County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest sympathy to his family and our brothers and sisters in Desoto County. We are all grieving over losing one of our own.