Polk County Sheriff’s Phone# 863-298-6200
If in an emergency Dial 911
News and Investigations
News & Investigations
News Releases and Public Information
Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.
PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Alicia Manautou. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.
The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.
Jun 19, 2023
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office recovers teen who apparently drowned in Lake Clinch
Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO
At around 8:20 p.m., Sunday, June 18, 2023, PCSO deputies along with the Frostproof Fire Department and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to a report of a boating accident on Lake Clinch in Frostproof and had boats immediately into the water to look for a missing boater.
Preliminary information so far is that two teens were on a single Jet Ski on Lake Clinch. The driver of the Jet Ski, 17-year-old Jose Torres of Frostproof, made an abrupt turn, causing him and his passenger, 15-year-old Mekhi Guillaume of Frostproof, to be ejected into the water.
Guillaume, who was wearing a life jacket, was able to swim back to the Jet Ski. Guillaume looked for Torres but could not locate him. Guillaume immediately alerted others in the area and 911 was notified.
Torres was not wearing a life jacket.
The PCSO Marine Unit and Underwater Search and Recovery Team (USART) utilized![[stock image of DS Williamson using underwater drone during training]](/images/default-source/default-album/img_6658.jpg?sfvrsn=36af7f2a_0 "[stock image of DS Williamson using underwater drone during training]")
an underwater drone which located Torres, deceased in about 20 feet of water, just after midnight. Jose Torres’ body was transported to the Tenth District Medical Examiner’s Office where an autopsy will be conducted at a later time. It appears at this time that he drowned, although the M.E. will determine his exact cause of death.
Jose Torres was a student at Ridge Technical College.
“Our hearts hurt today for this loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with Jose’s family and loved ones. This is a tragic accident and a stark reminder that life jackets save lives. Please, when out on the water, wear a life jacket. It could save your life.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Originally Released:
The Polk County Sheriff's Office is currently searching Lake Clinch in Frostproof for a missing boater.
At around 8:20 p.m., Sunday, June 18, 2023, PCSO deputies along with Frostproof Fire Department responded to Lake Clinch and had boats immediately into the water to look for the boater.
Preliminary information so far is that two boaters were on a single Jet Ski on Lake Clinch. For unknown reasons, the Jet Ski overturned. One boater was able to swim safely to shore. One is currently missing.
The PCSO Marine Unit and Underwater Search and Recovery Team (USART) will search throughout the night and until the boater is located.