Fla. Sheriff's Deputy Killed in Christmas Eve Shootout

A Florida sheriff's deputy was shot and killed when a suspect opened fire during a domestic violence call Saturday.

Cpl. Ray Hamilton, a five-year veteran with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office and its special response team, was part of the response to a domestic violence battery incident at a townhouse in the Green Acres Road neighborhood, according to a press release by the agency. Deputies reached the scene at about 9 a.m., but the suspect, Timothy Price-Williams, refused to come out.

Price-Williams remained barricaded in the house even after the special response team was called in. Just after 12:30 p.m., he shot out a window, and deputies returned fire.

Hamilton and Price-Williams were both struck in the exchange and rushed to the hospital. Hamilton succumbed to his injuries just after 3 p.m. Price-Williams was wounded in his arm and is expected to recover.

"We are devastated by the grief of losing Corporal Hamilton, a deputy who was a ray of sunshine in the OCSO, dedicated to protecting others," Sheriff Eric Aden said in a statement. "We appreciate the endless stream of words of support that have come in for his family and his co-workers as we face this heartbreaking loss of a profoundly loved and respected friend, public servant, and hero."