Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr.

Sheriff, Walton County Sheriff's Office, Florida

Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr., is a sixth generation native of Walton County and a 32-year law enforcement professional. Sheriff Adkinson holds a BA in Criminology from Florida State University and a MS in Criminal Justice from St. Leo University. He has continued his criminal justice education by attending more than 2,000 hours of law enforcement training and is a past Commissioner for the Commission on Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation and the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. He is the past President of the Florida Sheriff’s Association and is a current member of the Board of Directors for the National Sheriff’s Association. Additionally, Sheriff Adkinson is a member of the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute and Police Fellow at Radford University. Sheriff Adkinson teaches lectures at the university level on public safety issues. Prior to being elected as Sheriff, he served as the Chief of Police for the City of DeFuniak Springs.

In 2012, a team of state law enforcement assessors reviewing operations at the Sheriff's office reported that under Sheriff Adkinson's leadership the Walton County Sheriff's Office has become one of Florida's premier law enforcement agencies. The role of the Office of the Sheriff has expanded over the last decade to encompass 911 Communications, Law enforcement operations, Jail operations, Animal Control, Emergency Medical and Fire Rescue, Service and Animal Control.

Sheriff Adkinson was first elected in 2008 and was re-elected in 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024. He resides in Point Washington with his wife of 30 years, Erin Adkinson. Sheriff Adkinson is a committed supporter of Emerald Coast Type 1 and JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). Both organizations are dedicated to supporting families and finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.