Last week we told you about the son of Walton County Undersheriff Bill Champman's arrest and quick release on domestic abuse charges.
Authorities admitted Greg Chapman received special treatment because he is a former law enforcement officer, but a number of people have come forward saying that explanation doesn't add up.

Last Wednesday 41-year old Greg Chapman, son of Undersheriff Bill Chapman, was arrested on domestic abuse charges at 4:38PM after allegedly punching his girlfriend in the face.

He was booked in the Walton County Jail, given a bond hearing and released on a recognizance bond by 11:00 that night.

While most people would have spent the night in jail, Chapman was rushed through the system in a matter of hours.

A Walton county judge made a special trip to the jail the same night rather then waiting to hold a hearing the next day which is typical practice in these offenses.

Authorities say because Chapman is a former law enforcement officer, they handled his case differently for security reasons.

Last Thursday Sheriff's Office officals talked with Newschannel 7 about the incident.
"There are safety concerns whenever a former law enforcement officer is arrested. How the jail handles that, again, the jail is not run by us so I couldn't speak to those procedures. I am aware, generally in the law enforcement community, whenever a law enforcement officer is arrested we have to take particular concerns and measures to ensure his safety" said Captain Shepard Bruner.

Chapman used to work for the Walton County Sheriff's Office and the Niceville Police Department.

Jail officials refused our request for a mugshot of Chapman, citing a state statute that protects the privacy of current and former law enforcement officers.

But that was not the case in July, when Walton County Sheriff's Deputy Jerid Day was arrested for child abuse.

This mugshot accompanied the news release announcing his arrest.

After we first ran this story on Thursday, an overwhelming response from viewers came pouring in.

WCSO writes: "The deputy last month that was arrested for child abuse did not get out in a few hours, they found a place for him that was safe and they could have done the same thing for this guy."

Anna writes: "Why would he get special treatment? He got it because of his dad not because he is a former law enforcement officer."

And Anonymous posts: "As a former law enforcement officer in the state of Florida, I must say the state statute protects the individuals identity, not the amount of time incarcerated. Walton County is a corrupt county."

The statute is best understood as an elective option.

The jail, which is run by the county, refused our request for an interview last Thursday at the advice of County Administrator Lyle Seigler and because of the Labor Day holiday, no one was available to comment on the story.