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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
Feb 13, 2017

Pit bull type dog vicious...

Polk County Sheriff's Office detectives are investigating a dog attack on a Lakeland Electric employ...

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Polk County News
Feb 11, 2017

18-year-old Auburndale m...

An 18-year-old and a 16-year-old have been charged for murdering 67-year-old Donald Merkley, who was...

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Polk County News
Feb 1, 2017

PCSO Deputies Arrest Trav...

On Tuesday, January 31, 2017, PCSO deputies thwarted a trio's efforts to swindle an elderly Winter H...

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Polk County News
Jan 30, 2017

Guns Galore gun store bur...

Early Sunday morning, at approximately 4:00 a.m. on January 29 Polk County Sheriff's deputies respon...

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Polk County News
Jan 30, 2017

Polk County To Use "Alert...

Beginning February 1, 2017, Polk County will be using “Alert Polk” during situations that may affect...

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Polk County News
Jan 26, 2017

PCSO Deputies Charge Man ...

On Wednesday, January 25, 2017, PCSO deputies obtained an arrest warrant for 27-year-old Kyle Christ...

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