Public Safety

Fort Walton Beach Police Department welcomes two new officers

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department welcomed two new police officers to the police force this week. David Bowell comes to the city following a 26-year law enforcement career with the Okaloosa […]

Jared Williams

Add Get The Coast on Google

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department welcomed two new police officers to the police force this week.

David Bowell and Austin Howard were sworn in during a ceremony Tuesday that was attended by fellow officers, family, City Manager Jeff Peters and City Council members Gloria DeBerry and David Schmidt.

David Bowell comes to the city following a 26-year law enforcement career with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Bowell is a native of Fort Walton Beach and is looking forward to serving the city he grew up in.

Austin Howard served as a police officer in Fremont, California for about three years before deciding to move to Florida. He served a short time with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office before joining the Fort Walton Beach Police Department.

Both officers will start this week in the department’s patrol division.

PROMOTION

Join the conversation...Cancel reply

Labor Day weekend DUI checkpoint in Fort Walton Beach yields one arrest, 16 traffic citations

Giving Back

Fort Walton Beach police to collect school supplies at ‘Fill the Van’ event

Timothy Franklin commented on Gap Creek flooding: Fort Walton Beach residents seek help as Okaloosa outlines projects, permitting hurdles

“Trusting in Trey Goodwin = INSANITY defined!! Year after year of empty promises... He's "frustrated". He doesn't know how to get it done - so it's about time to replace...”

Respond

Scott Schaeffler commented on WordroW: October 23, 2026

“2:40, 6 attempts”

Lesley Butcher commented on HOW I WORK: An inside look at how Emerald Coast Vibe’s Tiffany Bechard balances events, entrepreneurship and a family of six

“I Love Tiffany, she is such a Joy to be around, so full of life , always ready to help. My kids went to Navarre high school with her and...”

Scott Schaeffler commented on WordroW: October 22, 2026

“0:20, 3 attempts. Yowza!”

Lydia Weaver commented on HOW I WORK: An inside look at how Emerald Coast Vibe’s Tiffany Bechard balances events, entrepreneurship and a family of six

“I met Tiffany years ago at the Campus Cafe and always knew she would do great things . And she sure has and then same. So proud of her and...”

Tom commented on Gap Creek flooding: Fort Walton Beach residents seek help as Okaloosa outlines projects, permitting hurdles

“Could it be this area draining into Cinco Bayou is reason water quality there can’t pass standards? People living on and using that waterway should be up in arms to...”

“DUH….Maybe, just maybe this draining into Cinco Bayou is the reason Cinco’s water quality of late can’t pass the test????? MAYBE….YEP, MOST LIKELY!!”

Morgan Nolan commented on Gap Creek flooding: Fort Walton Beach residents seek help as Okaloosa outlines projects, permitting hurdles

“I have lived in Overbrook since 2021 and we have flooded 3 times. Our home is the one that flooded in 2024 from the rainstorm, and we had another flood...”

Keith kulow commented on City of Fort Walton Beach expects storm debris cleanup to begin midweek

“Estimated date cleanup for Lake Lorraine??”

W Taylor commented on Isaias debris cleanup: Where things stand in Okaloosa County, Fort Walton Beach

“If you think it’s bad here go to Gulf Breeze. It’ll take months to clean up there.”

Fort Walton Beach Police Department welcomes two new officers

Join the conversation...Cancel reply

Continue reading 👇

Fort Walton Beach police de-escalate armed veteran in mental health crisis

Two charged after Fort Walton Beach police sting targets underage alcohol sales

Labor Day weekend DUI checkpoint in Fort Walton Beach yields one arrest, 16 traffic citations

Fort Walton Beach police to collect school supplies at ‘Fill the Van’ event

Community Comments

GET OUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER