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Local Sheriff Mourns Loss Of Longtime Deputy Fatally Shot

Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Facebook page

A longtime Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputy is dead, following a shooting outside a local law office Tuesday. The suspect is also dead, after authorities engaged him in a standoff at a nearby hotel.

At a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley announced that Deputy Bill Myers has died from multiple gunshot wounds in the back.

Described as a beloved man by all, Ashley says Myers had been a 25-year veteran of the sheriff’s department. He retired a couple years ago. The 64-year-old decided to come back part-time to help out and earn some cash to take his granddaughter to Disney World.

Authorities say Myers had gone to a Shalimar law office earlier in the day to deliver a domestic violence injunction to 33-year-old Joel Smith. They say Smith severely wounded Myers, as he was walking outside.

After fleeing to a Niceville hotel, Smith was later killed in a deadly shootout with deputies.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.