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.

Aug 20, 2019

Eighth case of rabies in 2019 confirmed in Polk County

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Section confirmed this week the 8th positive rabies case in Polk County for the year.

On Sunday, August 18, 2019, a resident on CR 630 West in Frostproof reported she found a bat in her family's yard. Polk County Animal Control impounded the bat and sent it for rabies testing. It was confirmed positive for rabies on August 20, 2019. This is the 8th positive rabies case for Polk County this year.

“Please call Polk County Animal Control immediately if you find a diseased or injured animal such as a bat, fox, or raccoon, in your neighborhood. Do not interact with it. Luckily it doesn't appear this family actually touched this diseased bat, but they are in contact with the Department of Health due to their exposure, as a precaution.” - Grady Judd, Sheriff