NICEVILLE, Fla. – Okaloosa County Deputy Sheriff Jacob Turner has been awarded the OCSO District Certificate of Commendation for his rescue of a six-year-old autistic child last December in Bluewater Bay east of Niceville.
Turner earned the commendation for his substantial actions and calm demeanor.
On the night of December 30, 2021, Deputy Turner was on routine patrol leaving the Magnolia Plantation subdivision in Bluewater Bay. As he approached State Road 20, he observed a young child running barefoot in eastbound traffic on the dark, four-lane highway.
The child was wearing pajamas and holding an IPad.
Due to heavy vehicle traffic, Turner immediately left his vehicle and ran out onto the roadway, risking his own safety to rescue the child from being struck by fast-moving vehicles.
Once he got the child to safety, Turner was met by residents of the subdivision who were out looking for the young boy.
The deputy learned the child had low functioning autism and had departed his residence.
The boy was later reunited with his mother unharmed.
View bodycam footage of the rescue here.
