In the latest episode of “(We Don’t) Color on the Dog,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons sat down to discuss some of the most challenging and significant law enforcement operations in recent weeks—from a heartbreaking double homicide to a record-breaking drug seizure that pulled nearly 5,000 grams of fentanyl off our streets.
A Tragedy That Shook the Community
What initially appeared to be a tragic trailer fire in Grand Oak Mobile Home Park quickly transformed into something far more sinister. When firefighters extinguished the flames, they discovered two children— 9-year-old Vayden Orum and 7-year-old Rayden Smith—had perished. A 12-year-old had escaped, along with an adult who suffered burns and was treated at the scene.
- “The thought was that there were just two fatalities in the fire, which is tragic enough,” Sheriff Simmons explained. But after working with the medical examiner’s office, investigators made a horrifying discovery: the children’s cause of death wasn’t the fire itself. They had been killed before the flames started.
The investigation revealed that the adult, John Henry Walston, who escaped had killed both children, assaulted one of them, then set the fire and saved himself in an attempt to cover up his crimes.
- “It’s cases like this in my 40-year career in law enforcement that anger you,” Simmons said. “You try to keep above that. You do your job, and our guys did. They did a great job of investigating it, but it doesn’t mean you can just turn it off when you hear about the details and you concern yourself with the children, with the victims in this case.”
Massive Fentanyl Operation Dismantled
In stark contrast to the tragedy, Sheriff Simmons also shared details about a major victory against drug dealers poisoning our community. A narcotics investigation led deputies to execute search warrants at 5 a.m. on Nov. 13 on both a residence and a motel room where a dealer was actively mixing fentanyl.
Inside the motel room, investigators discovered a disturbing operation: a large plastic bucket filled with mannitol—a bulking agent—being mixed with fentanyl to press into bars for distribution. The total seizure included nearly 5,000 grams of fentanyl, five firearms (four of which were stolen), brown heroin, methamphetamine, spice, and approximately $10,000 in cash.
- “Imagine the poisoning they were doing to our community,” Simmons said. “I’m just so proud of the guys for what they do and for how they do it, and we’re going to stay on them.”
The sheriff made it clear that drug dealers at every level—from street sellers to major distributors—should not feel comfortable operating in Escambia County.
Unprecedented Multi-Agency Collaboration
What sets current law enforcement efforts apart, according to Sheriff Simmons, is the unprecedented collaboration between agencies. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), DEA, ATF, and FBI are all combining resources to combat both the fentanyl crisis and child predators.
- “In my career, this is as cohesive an attack on fentanyl and on child predators as there has ever been,” Simmons emphasized. “That’s good stuff. I want people to know what’s going on, what we’re doing, and that’s a whole part of being transparent.”
Notably absent from these operations? Ego. Sheriff Simmons praised the collaborative spirit, noting that agencies are focused on results rather than competing for credit—a refreshing change from past approaches.
Community Engagement for the Holidays
As the holiday season approaches, the Sheriff’s Office isn’t slowing down on community engagement. A movie night is scheduled for Friday at Triangle Park in Navy Point, and mobile surveillance cameras are being strategically placed in shopping areas to protect holiday shoppers from theft and vehicle break-ins.
- “We’re gearing up for a busy holiday season,” Simmons said. “We just want people to be careful with the holiday shopping season coming around.”
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