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.

May 1, 2017

Sheriff Judd Recognizes Outstanding PCSO Members at Annual Awards Ceremony

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Executive Staff members of the Polk County Sheriff's Office will recognize law enforcement, detention, civilian, and volunteer members of the agency on Thursday, May 18, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. at Lake Eva Banquet Hall in Haines City, at the "2017 PCSO Annual Awards Ceremony." On hand to help recognize these members will be county elected officials and administrators, and other special dignitaries.

Each year, PCSO holds an awards ceremony naming the Deputy Sheriff, Detention Deputy, Civilian, Reserve Deputy Sheriff, and Volunteer of the Year. In addition to these awards, Sheriff Judd will award Medals of Honor, Purple Heart Medals, Medals of Valor, Life-Saving Medals, and Meritorious Service Medals to those members who went above and beyond the call of duty during 2016.

The media is invited to attend this event. Some award recipients and nominees may be undercover - the Public Information Officers will be on-hand to assist you in identifying those members who cannot be photographed or videotaped.