Florida sheriff’s deputy fatally shot on Christmas Eve responding to domestic violence suspect

A Florida sheriff’s deputy was fatally shot on Christmas Eve while responding to a domestic violence attack.

Cpl. Ray Hamilton was hit by a hail of bullets when Timothy Price-Williams, 43, opened fire. The deputy sheriff was there with the task force team trying to peacefully negotiate with the suspect and serve him with a warrant for his arrest on a domestic violence charge.

Hamilton, who was married, leaves behind a wife, who one of his colleagues said he ‘loved very much’. It is not clear if the fallen officer had children.

Prince-Williams refused to leave and barricaded himself inside his home – located on North Park Boulevard in Wright, Florida – firing several shots through the window. Hamilton was hit by gunfire Saturday afternoon around 12:40 p.m. when he entered an area behind a backyard fence, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

The officer was rushed to Destin Hospital in Fort Walton Beach, but later succumbed to his injuries and died around 3 p.m. The suspect was still inside the home and refused to come out, but once he finally left the premises, his actions prompted another officer to fire at him, striking the suspect’s right arm.

The cop killer was taken to a hospital for his injury before being booked and charged with first-degree premeditated murder for the murder of Officer Hamilton. He was denied bail.

Police killer Timothy Price-Williams was charged with first-degree premeditated murder for the murder of Officer Hamilton and denied bail

The department said the Special has been responding to a call from the victim who reported Saturday morning that Price-Williams had slapped and pushed her during an argument the night before.

The victim said he also took her phone so she couldn’t call 911 for help, according to an OCSO news release.

Hamilton was a five-year veteran who served with the Special Response Team and received countless awards for his service.

Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden said in a Facebook post that the pain of losing Hamilton is devastating. He called Hamilton a “ray of sunshine” who was “dedicated to protecting others.”

“We are grateful for the endless stream of words of support that have come to his family and co-workers as we face this heartbreaking loss of a deeply loved and respected friend, public servant and hero,” Aden said.

Hamilton’s death makes him the 61st officer to be shot in 2022, The New York Post reported.

Hamilton was hit during the exchange of gunfire Saturday afternoon around 12:40 p.m. when he entered an area behind the backyard fence, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said.

The home complex where the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team responded Saturday morning before Officer Hamilton tragically died.

Posted December 12, 2019 by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office: LIFE-SAVING AWARD PRESENTED TO OCSO DEPUTY SHERIFF RAY HAMILTON! On November 16, Deputy Hamilton (shown left) responded to a report of a suicide in Destin. A woman had come out of her window and climbed onto the roof threatening to jump. Deputy Hamilton was the first to arrive and made contact with the woman who was in an obvious state of emotional distress.

The September 19, 2022 post from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office reads: An oversized congratulations are sent to Deputy Ray Hamilton (shown right) on his five years of service to the citizens of the county! from Okaloosa! Certificate presented by Sgt. Joe Trimboli #well done

Cpl. Ray Hamilton received countless awards for his acts of bravery and heroism before his tragic death on Saturday December 24-Christmas Eve.

A tribute to slain officer Chaz Donovan was posted on Facebook.

‘Sometimes you just can’t find the words. He was one of my trainees when he started 5 years ago. Excited and ready to work. Even when I tried to stress him out, he was always positive and ready for the next challenge. After training we were still good friends and we talked every day before the shift. I was with him minutes before this horrible incident,” Donovan said.

‘Ray being Ray was on the stack and he didn’t have any tobacco on him. He gave me a splash and gave me that goofy Ray smile. I didn’t know this would be our last conversation.

“I often referenced Ray to my apprentices and used his character as a standard for how people should be treated. He was a genuine good guy. He loved his wife and would do anything in his power for his neighbor. Please keep this man and his wife in his prayers. Say his name often and may he never be forgotten. I love you and will always miss you brother.’