Walton County lauds emergency response after Walton Middle School stabbing; proclaims April National Volunteer Month

The Walton County Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution proclaiming April 2026 as National Volunteer Month and publicly thanked volunteers and emergency-management partners after a morning stabbing at Walton Middle School.

Emergency Management Director Jeff Goldberg briefed the board on the incident, saying a 911 call was received at 7:23 a.m. and that three victims — two students and one adult — were taken to hospitals in stable condition. "About 15 minutes later, I received a call from Russell Batty… to let us know there were multiple victims involved, that there were three victims, two students, one adult," Goldberg told commissioners. He said law enforcement apprehended a suspect off school property and that a reunification center was set up at the fairgrounds.

Goldberg credited the school district, the sheriff's office, local police and fire agencies, and volunteers for a calm, coordinated response. He said school staff, sheriff’s counselors and district personnel managed family reunification, and that mental-health crisis teams were placed on standby but were not ultimately needed. Commissioners praised the drills and exercises that prepared agencies for such incidents.

Separately, the board read a formal proclamation recognizing volunteers across Walton County. Commissioners presented plaques to Emergency Management volunteers Rick Royston, recognized for technology and communications work, and Christa Radka, acknowledged for drafting the county’s mass‑casualty and mass‑fatality plan and supporting recent exercises.

The board said it will monitor follow-up reporting from law enforcement and the school district; county staff noted a sheriff’s office press briefing was scheduled the following day for additional investigative details.