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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 Meghan Petty. 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.

Polk County News
Aug 27, 2021

A shooting at Lake Blue P...

On Thursday, August 26, 2021, PCSO detectives responded to a shooting at Lake Blue Park in unincorpo...

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Byron Dexter
Aug 27, 2021

21-year-old Bradly man ar...

On Thursday, August 26, 2021, at approximately 6:44 p.m., Polk County Deputies and Polk County Fire ...

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Sheriff Grady Judd
Aug 26, 2021

"As a risk manager, I sai...

Getting the vaccine is a personal choice. An editorial by Sheriff Grady Judd

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Operation Pop Top Graphic
Aug 24, 2021

Operation Pop Top: Lakela...

One arrested for the sale of alcohol to a minor

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Deputy Broadhead
Aug 23, 2021

PCSO mourns the loss of D...

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you about the line-of-duty death of Deputy ...

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Polk County News
Aug 23, 2021

Winter Haven man arrested...

On Sunday, August 22, 2021, PCSO detectives arrested 57-year-old Joseph O’Connor of Winter Haven fol...

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