FWC Division of Law Enforcement Northwest Region

On Wednesday, June 11, at approximately 2 p.m., the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Northwest Region Dive Team responded to a report of a missing commercial diver performing bridge work on the Choctawhatchee River.

With the aid of witness accounts and sonar technology, FWC divers were able to locate and recover the deceased individual from the river.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of life in this incident and extend our sincere condolences to the victim’s loved ones. We are grateful to our dive team for their swift and professional response in bringing closure to the situation.

The investigation and victim identification have been turned over to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

On June 2, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) responded to a report of a missing 7-year-old boy in the Rocky Creek area of Bluewater Bay in Okaloosa County in coordination with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, North Bay Fire Department, and Eglin Air Force Base.

The child, who had been paddleboarding, was located approximately 1.5 miles upstream after navigating a challenging stretch of creek filled with submerged trees and other obstacles.

“We are incredibly grateful for the coordinated efforts of all agencies involved and for the safe recovery of this young boy,” said FWC Captain Keith Clark. “His first words after being found: ‘Do you have any food?’”

The boy was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and is reported to be doing well.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation. No further information is available at this time.

A coordinated marine debris removal effort led by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has officially kicked off a large-scale initiative to address storm-related debris along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

This inaugural cleanup — spearheaded by the FWC Division of Law Enforcement’s Marine Debris Program and regional law enforcement officers, in partnership with the FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management’s Derelict Trap and Trap Debris Removal Program — focused on high-traffic areas east and west of the St. Marks Lighthouse and sections of the Wakulla River. The operation successfully removed two large dumpsters full of marine debris.

Key objectives of the clean-up included:

• Identifying and removing derelict blue crab traps posing navigational hazards and contributing to ghost fishing.
• Clearing shoreline and in-water debris left in the wake of the recent record-breaking hurricane season.

These cleanup efforts are vital for restoring essential sea turtle and bird habitats, improving boater safety and supporting healthier coastal ecosystems.

Additional cleanup operations are scheduled in Wakulla County for late July, with a larger, expanded effort planned for early spring 2026 to take advantage of improved tidal conditions.

FWC’s Marine Debris Program is currently conducting a series of similar projects from Escambia to Monroe counties, targeting coral reefs, mangrove islands and coastal marshes. Meanwhile, the Trap Retrieval Program is gearing up for targeted summer removals stretching from the Big Bend to south Florida.

Together, these initiatives reflect a unified commitment to protecting Florida’s marine environment and fostering long-term coastal resilience. 

Photos

Find more photos of the marine debris removal initiative in Wakulla County.

Contacts

Ashlee.Sklute@MyFWC.com        Robin.Simoneaux@MyFWC.com      Faith.Flawn@MyFWC.com

Resources

See information about marine debris and derelict trap removal.

As the busy summer boating season approaches, FWC officers in the Northwest Region are taking proactive steps to ensure Florida’s waterways remain safe. In partnership with the 14th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, officers recently participated in a wet lab and advanced boating under the influence (BUI) enforcement training.

This specialized, hands-on training session gave officers the opportunity to enhance their field skills in recognizing and handling impaired boating cases. By simulating real-world scenarios, officers gained valuable practical experience in administering sobriety tests and navigating the complexities of BUI investigations.

Beyond technical skills, the training also strengthened collaboration between FWC officers and local prosecutors  – ensuring a stronger, more unified approach to keeping impaired operators off the water and improving the effectiveness of future casework.

FWC remains committed to boating safety and to working closely with judicial partners to protect the public on Florida’s waterways.

While conducting a training operation, 10 officers from the Northwest Region Special Operations Group Team responded to a call to assist the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. The Special Operations Group officers coordinated with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Panama City Beach Police Department to locate two subjects connected to an armed robbery that occurred the previous day. Together, they established a perimeter and entered the wooded area searching for the fugitives. The FWC Special Operations Group team successfully located and apprehended both subjects.

Following the arrests, FWC K-9 River was deployed for article recovery. K-9 River quickly tracked and located a backpack discarded by one of the subjects, securing valuable evidence in the ongoing investigation.

See the rescue video.

FWC officers participated in Franklin County’s annual Cops and Kids Day—an event hosted by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office to bring together local law enforcement, community partners, and students for a day of learning and connection.

Hundreds of K–12 students from all over the county met officers, asked questions and explored how public safety and conservation go hand in hand. FWC Officers Morgan McLeod and Josh Stallings spent the day talking to students, handing out educational materials, and sharing insights about Florida’s fish and wildlife.

The event was a great opportunity to build trust, inspire curiosity, and spark conversations about conservation and law enforcement's important role in protecting our natural resources.

FWC recently hosted an educational field trip to Lynn Haven Conservation Park for 2nd grade students from Deer Point Elementary School. FWC Public Information Officer Chris Boley, Investigator Travis Basford, and Lieutenant Nicole Basford provided interactive presentations about boating safety, hunting, fishing, and wildlife conservation. The kids got an up-close look at an alligator while learning about alligator behavior and conservation efforts. It was a great day of learning, exploring, and sparking curiosity about the outdoors.

On March 18, 25 Gadsden County students from Robert F. Munroe Day School’s outdoor education class experienced an educational field trip at the FWC Training Academy. The students, ranging from 7th to 12th grade, had the opportunity to learn about careers in conservation law enforcement.

FWC Lieutenants Josh Caraker and Casey Anderson led the field trip, providing students with a tour of the FWC classroom, the defensive tactics building, and the outdoor pavilion. The students were introduced to the responsibilities of FWC law enforcement officers and how their duties differ from other sworn officers. The students also gained insights about wildlife identification, management, and conservation and learned about Florida’s imperiled species and the efforts taken to protect them.

Adding to the educational experience, Logan Lane from Tallahassee State College (TSC) spoke with students about scholarship opportunities for the Academy.

The field trip expanded the students’ understanding of the FWC and the Division of Law Enforcement and introduced them to careers in conservation law enforcement.

See other photos from this field trip.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving honored FWC Northwest Region Officers  – Ted Mursch, Heath Oliver, and Ashley Pritchard – for their dedication to boating under the influence enforcement. The FWC officers were recognized at MADD's Law Enforcement Officer Award Ceremony & Candlelight Vigil in Fort Walton Beach. The event brought together officers from multiple agencies from Escambia County to Bay County, recognizing those who have gone above and beyond in keeping the waterways safe. The efforts of these FWC officers reflect the agency's mission to protect Florida residents and visitors and highlight the critical role officers play in preventing tragic, alcohol-related incidents on the water. Congratulations to these FWC officers for the well-deserved recognition!

Lt. David Jernigan joined multiple first responders at the Caryville Apostolic Church’s “Touch-A-Truck” event, where children from the surrounding area had the opportunity to explore various emergency and service vehicles. Attendees got up close with trucks, ambulances, squad cars, firetrucks, boats, and a large vehicle recovery truck. The Division of Forestry also showcased its forest firefighting equipment and McGruff the Crime Dog made a special appearance.

The event featured food and prizes for the kids. Participating agencies included the FWC, the Washington and Holmes County Sheriffs’ Offices (with their drone team, K-9 unit, and dive team), Washington and Holmes Fire, Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Services, the Division of Forestry, and Caryville Wrecker Service.

See other images from the FWC's participation in the Touch-A-Truck event.