On June 6th at about 8:30am, Okaloosa EMS Chief Darrel Welborn was parked at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island in his county emergency vehicle, providing command assistance to his lieutenants during a very busy morning. 

• He was flagged down by the frantic wife of a victim who had just been struck with a machete by an unidentified subject in a seemingly random, unprovoked act of violence. (Read original report here)

“After initial critical assessment of the patient and obtaining a description of the suspect from the complainant, I observed that the suspect was still present nearby and was a danger to the surrounding public,” explains Welborn.  

• Welborn summoned law enforcement and donned tactical gear before engaging the armed suspect verbally to draw attention away from citizens. The subject had already chased an additional person with a machete and Welborn feared for the safety of passers-by.
• Welborn maintained the armed suspect’s attention for several minutes until law enforcement arrived and engaged. 
• Ultimately the actions of the armed subject forced the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s office deputies to neutralize the threat in defense of themselves and others.

In recommending his recognition for heroism, County Administrator John Hofstad said, “Had it not been for the quick, selfless actions of Chief Welborn, acting well above and beyond the requirements of his role under those conditions, the armed subject would have had no impediments to attacking additional citizens, likely resulting in serious injury or death. Chief Welborn exemplifies the purpose of this award.”

Chief Welborn accepted the award, saying,  “I’m honored to be able to serve this community, our visitors, and our citizens. I was glad to have the two deputies show up very quickly behind me, and they were able to get the situation more under control.”

Patrick Maddox, Public Safety Director for Okaloosa, commended Welborn and the culture that he has created within the Okaloosa County EMS.

“They’re waiting here to go on the next call, to do the next thing, and they’re here to celebrate their chief, which I think is absolutely amazing,” added Maddox. “Thanks again, Darrel, for everything you did.”

Sheriff Eric Aden says, “Darrel has served this community for decades now. I came up as a young deputy when he was already with the EMS. It’s a team effort and unfortunately our guys got called in.”

• “Darrel put himself in harm’s way – not because he had to, but because it’s a calling.  He made our job easier when we got there, calmly trying to talk the subject down. So thank you for your service and thank you for all of your staff and everything that they do daily.”