Suspect attempts to flee

On Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, DeFuniak Springs police officers observed James Derek Cotton Jr. in the area of South 11th Street. Derek Cotton at the time was known to have open charges for arrest, Cotton is alleged to have wielded two knives at neighbors during a dispute, and warrants. Derek Cotton attempted to avoid arrest by fleeing to his house, 750 South 11th Street, and hiding in the attic.

After Officers located Derek Cotton in the attic, he refused to obey lawful orders of law enforcement to come down. Cotton held officers to a stand-off for over an hour. He was final apprehended after officers flooded the attic with pepper spray to help coerce Cotton to the attic access point.

Cotton is also known to carry weapons on his person, specifically, mace, box cutter and/or knives, which were located with him during his arrest.

Cotton was handcuffed and transported to the Walton County Department of Corrections, where he was processed for first appearance.

James Derek Cotton Jr., has been a suspect involved in multiple emergency calls for service to the DeFuniak Springs Police, made by both family and residents of the community. Many of the recent calls have been related to on-going problems with Cotton and his immediate family, as well as Cotton and his neighbors.