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.

Aug 1, 2023

Polk County has third confirmed case of rabies in 2023

Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO

The third case of rabies in 2023 has been confirmed in Polk County.

On July 26, 2023, a family dog in the Green Road area of unincorporated Lakeland fought with an aggressive raccoon. When the raccoon would not let go of the dog, the dog's owner shot and killed the raccoon. The family contacted PCSO Animal Control, and an officer took possession of the raccoon. Its carcass was sent to Tampa for testing.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Section received the test results from the state laboratory in Tampa on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, which showed the raccoon was positive for the deadly virus.

"Thankfully, this dog's injuries were only minor. It was given a rabies vaccination following the incident, and will have to be quarantined to make sure it is not infected. Please, if you find a wild animal in distress, appearing sick, or acting aggressive, stay away from it and contact Animal Control immediately." - Grady Judd, Sheriff