FWC DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY REPORT October 26 – November 1, 2012

FWC DIVISION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
WEEKLY REPORT

October 26 – November 1, 2012

This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however,
it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.

NORTHWEST REGION

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Lieutenants Doug Berryman and Mark Hollinhead, along with Officers David Jernigan
and Joe Murphy, responded to a hunting accident in the Blackwater State Forest. Once
on scene, officers learned a hunter had been shot in the back from a bow and arrow
and was air-lifted to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. Additionally, the subject who shot
the victim fled the scene and failed to render aid. The officers’ investigation revealed the
victim was shot while he was preparing to climb a tree. A friend of the victim came to
his aid and transported him out of the woods to the Munson Fire Department. Officers
found evidence at the scene that led them to a suspect in Milton. Officers interviewed the
suspect and were able to obtain a confession from him stating that he shot at what he
thought was a deer. The suspect admitted hearing a person scream for help but said he
fled the scene because he was scared. Charges are pending.

Officer Gary Ridaught checked an individual fishing at Wayside Park in Gulf Breeze. The
individual claimed he possessed one legal red drum. While speaking with the subject,
Officer Ridaught noticed a second red drum concealed under the subject’s jacket. This
fish was oversized. Officer Ridaught issued a notice to appear citation for the violation.

Officer Royce Johnson responded to the Blackwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
Hutton Unit regarding a hunter taking an illegal deer. A hunter shot a 4 point buck and
stated he could not locate it. The hunter came back the next morning, located the deer,
and brought it to the check station. After being interviewed, Officer Johnson believed the
hunter was aware of the rule in the Hutton Unit that bucks must have a minimum of three
points on one side. Charges are pending.

WALTON COUNTY

FWC officers from Walton and Okaloosa counties responded to a report from the Walton
County Sheriff’s Office of a capsized vessel on Choctawhatchee Bay near the Highway
331 Bridge. Apparently, two males in a small vessel capsized in rough seas the night
before. One vessel occupant, an 18 year old, eventually made it to shore and flagged
down a passing vehicle to call for help. The other occupant, a 41 year old male, stayed
with the vessel. The 18 year old male was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where
he was treated and released. The search for the missing 41 year old male is ongoing.

BAY COUNTY

1

Officer Karl Hellett was patrolling St. Andrews State Park when he observed a subject
trying to swim the Panama City Pass to Shell Island. Officer Hellett knew the current
was too strong, and the subject would be a hazard to navigation, as well as his own
safety. Officer Hellett flagged down a commercial bait boat near the jetty and asked for
his assistance. The boat captain agreed and transported Officer Hellett to the subject
swimming in the pass. They pulled the subject onboard and transported him to St.
Andrews State Park. Officer Hellett discovered the subject had an active warrant out of
Collier County. The warrant was confirmed, and Officer Hellett transported the subject to
the Bay County Jail.

Officer Mike Goodwin was patrolling St. Andrews State Park when he observed a subject
walking from the jetty rocks carrying fishing rods and a cooler. Officer Goodwin asked
the subject if he had any luck fishing, and the subject stated, “just small ones,” as he
pointed to the cooler. Officer Goodwin inspected the cooler and found a red drum inside
with its head and tail removed. The subject knew the fish was a redfish. Officer Goodwin
issued a notice to appear for failure to land the fish in whole condition.

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Officer Lane Kinney was on water patrol on the Choctawhatchee River and stopped a
vessel to conduct a boating safety and fisheries inspection. Upon his approach, Officer
Kinney noticed two wires laying across the bow of the vessel that continued down into
the water. Further inspection revealed the wires were connected to a small shocking
device concealed in a snuff can and then connected to a battery in the vessel. The
subject had no fish in the vessel; however, he admitted to attempting to take freshwater
fish by shocking. A citation was issued for attempting to take freshwater fish by unlawful
method.


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