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.

Jan 28, 2020

First case of rabies confirmed in Polk for 2020

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

On Sunday, January 26, 2020, PCSO Animal Control responded to North Galloway Road in Lakeland, in reference to a fight between a dog and a raccoon.

The owner of the Alaskan husky mix separated the two animals and dispatched the raccoon; Animal Control responded, retrieved the raccoon carcass, and sent it to the state laboratory in Tampa to be tested for rabies. The positive rabies was confirmed two days later.

The dog is vaccinated and will remain at home under a 45-day quarantine.

“If you see a wild animal in distress, or if one of your pets interacts with a wild animal, contact Polk County Animal Control immediately.” - Grady Judd, Sheriff

In 2019, there were 11 rabies cases in Polk County - five bats and six raccoons.