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 Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. 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.

Dec 17, 2025

Man wounded by stabbing at Winter Haven bar; suspect charged with attempted murder

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey

The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested a man early Wednesday morning, December 17, 2025, for seriously injuring another man with a knife at a Winter Haven bar.

33-year old Tylor Scott Hartzog of Winter Haven was booked-in at the Sheriff's Processing Center and charged with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder with a Weapon (F1) and Improper Exhibition of a Dangerous Weapon (M1).

Deputies were dispatched to the Tuff Luck Saloon at 2390 Avenue G NW in Winter Haven at around 1:00 am, after a stabbing was reported there.

Upon their arrival, deputies found the adult male victim bleeding profusely from lacerations to his abdomen, wrist, head, and nose. The victim's nose was also broken.

Hartzog was taken into custody at the scene, and deputies recovered a Ka-Bar style military knife with an 8" blade that was used in the attack.

Hartzog claimed he acted out of self-defense, but evidence and witness statements led detectives to conclude that his actions were criminal.