A Florida community is mourning the loss of a sheriff's deputy after he was shot and killed by a domestic violence suspect on Christmas Eve.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office announced Corporal Ray Hamilton, a five-year veteran of the department, was fatally injured when 43-year-old Timothy Price-Williams opened fire on him from inside his residence. Williams was shot in the arm during the gunfire exchange, but is expected to be OK.

Hamilton, who served on the Special Response Team, died shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday at the Fort Walton Beach - Destin Hospital.

The department said deputies responded to the townhome at 710 North Park Boulevard to present a warrant against Price-Williams for a domestic violence battery charge.

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The victim reported that Price-Williams slapped her in the face and shoved her during an argument on Friday. She also said he took her phone away, so she couldn't call 911 for help.

When deputies arrived at the home around 9 a.m. Saturday they made contact with Price-Williams. He reportedly refused to leave the residence, prompting the Special Response Team to come to the scene.

For hours, he continued to hold himself hostage inside the home. Around 12:40 p.m., he fired shots out of a window, striking Hamilton and ultimately leading to this death.

Price-Williams is charged with first-degree premeditated murder. He received medical attention for his small injury and was transported to the jail after.

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In a statement posted to its Facebook page, Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden said the grief from losing Hamilton is devastating, calling him a "ray of sunshine" who was "dedicated to protecting others."

"We appreciate the endless stream of words of support that have come in for his family and his co-workers as we face this heartbreaking loss of a profoundly loved and respected friend, public servant, and hero," Aden said.

Hamilton's death makes him the 61st officer killed by gunfire in 2022. 

Funeral arrangements have not yet been posted.

Americans on the National Mall revealed what they would gift members of the opposite political party to bridge the partisan divide this holiday season.

"I would give them a shake of the hand to try to get everybody to come together," Irene, from Arizona, told Fox News. But she added that both parties deserved coal under the Christmas tree. 

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"Nobody's doing a great job right now, and the infighting is horrible," Irene said. 

Nearly three-quarters of Americans want Congress to compromise across party lines but 58% said they have "no confidence" that will happen, according to a NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll released Dec. 15. By comparison, in December 2008, only 23% of Americans had low confidence in bipartisanship.

"People have different opinions, and we have to understand that," Karol, of Washington D.C., said. 

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Yet some preferred more informative holiday gifts. 

"I would invite everyone to the border," William, from Arizona, told Fox News. 

The migrant influx is "affecting us in Arizona so I would invite them all to come on down and take a look," William continued. "Then hopefully they can get together and come up with a solution." 

Since President Biden took office, nearly a quarter of the 4 million migrants who have crossed into the U.S. traveled through Arizona's southern border, according to Customs and Border Protection. In border towns like Yuma, migrant crossings increased by 171% from 2021 to 2022, leading some families to hire private security. 

Brooke, from Missouri, told Fox News she would give Republicans a science textbook. 

There are "lots of misconceptions on the right about climate change, global warming, female anatomy," Brooke said. "I think they could learn from it."

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A few others shared unifying messages as peace offerings.

Americans need to "get to know the person behind the political party," Morgan, from Virginia, told Fox News. She said she would gift members of the opposite party politeness and understanding. 

"We're not defined by our beliefs and our political parties," Morgan said. "I think understanding the humanity side of everyone would be important." 

To hear more responses on what Americans would give as peace offering gifts for the opposite political party, click here.