SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Deputy Catches Wayward Alligator: Turned Over to Florida Fish and Wildlife

On the morning of 4/02/07 , Deputies responded to Gulf Blvd. in Navarre in reference to a complaint of an alligator being on the beach. When deputies arrived, the gator went for a swim in the Gulf of Mexico .

At approximately 1500 hours on the same date, Sgt. Jason Rickmon was patrolling the beach and received a call about the wayward gator.  Sgt. Rickmon proceeded to emulate his hero, the late Steve Irwin, and followed the alligator and was able to capture it.  This prevented the gator from once again taking a swim in the Gulf of Mexico .

The gator was placed in the custody of Officer Webb of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, who will be relocating the gator to a safer habitat.  Photographs of Sgt. Rickmon and the alligator are attached to this email.

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

850-981-2136

850-698-4441