From the office of Sheriff Tommy Ford
Since Tommy Ford became the Sheriff of Bay County in 2016, he and his agency have learned about resilience while coping with the unexpected.
After a short period getting used to his new responsibilities as Sheriff, there was an active shooter incident in May of 2018 on Beck Avenue. The shooter fired on law enforcement, first responders, and civilians. One civilian was hurt, and the shooter was killed after a four-hour gunfight. No law enforcement or first responders were injured. This incident exposed a need for additional equipment to protect and support law enforcement in any similar responses in the future. As of 2025, the BCSO now has a Unified Command Post to maintain communications and house Incident Management personnel, and several heavily fortified vehicles to withstand gunfire and shield responding deputies.
Later that same year, in October, Hurricane Michael slammed into the coastline near Mexico Beach, wiping out the city and scouring a swath of destruction through the Florida Panhandle. Keeping BCSO patrol cars — and patrol cars from many other agencies — on roads buried in debris after a Cat 5 hurricane carries its own set of challenges. Many BCSO employees lost their homes in the storm, as well, adding to the difficulties. Again, Sheriff Ford led his deputies and support staff through the aftermath, maintaining safety and security for the people of Bay County while helping his own staff rebuild their homes and lives. In 2025, the BCSO now has equipment and trained staff ready to respond to natural disasters anywhere in the state, eager to return the encouraging support received from other Sheriff’s Offices in the state during our crisis.
2020 brought a global pandemic with staffing challenges not seen before. Law enforcement members were essential and could not stay at home. When employees did get sick or needed to quarantine, other staff stepped up to fill the gaps. Sheriff Ford established new cleaning protocols to protect employees, emphasized online reporting by citizens for certain crimes to reduce exposure, and maintained safety and security in Bay County.
In March of 2022, the Bertha Swamp Fire and the Adkins Avenue fire threatened Bay County. The rural areas in the county were filled with the dead, dry debris of fallen trees from Hurricane Michael which acted like tinder and fueled the fires. The BCSO, under the direction of Sheriff Ford, supported the work of firefighters, evacuated neighborhoods, relayed safety messages to the public, and worked hard to keep residents safe.
January of 2025 brought another unforeseen circumstance: historic levels of snow and ice in Bay County. BCSO deputies adapted to the new driving conditions and helped citizens stuck on icy roads get home. All while answering any other call for service like a normal shift.
Whatever new, unexpected challenges may arise, the safety and security of the people of Bay County remain a number one priority for Sheriff Tommy Ford and his resilient team at the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
