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 Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. 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 15, 2025

Winter Haven man arrested for doing 107mph on Cypress Gardens Blvd.

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

A 24-year old man was arrested Sunday, August 10, 2025, after he was stopped for going 107 mph in a 55 mph zone on Cypress Gardens Boulevard in Winter Haven.

Just before midnight on Saturday, Polk County Sheriff's Office deputy conducted a traffic stop on a gray Chevy Silverado pick-up truck being driven by Nicholas Ker Bedard of Winter Haven. The truck had been traveling east on Cypress Gardens Boulevard near Lake Ruby Road.

During the traffic stop, Bedard told the deputy that he didn't realize he was speeding, although he contradicted himself when he said that he was driving fast because he just wanted to get home, because he had been up for twelve hours straight, and he was tired.

Bedard was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail. He was charged with Dangerous Excessive Speeding and Reckless Driving.

The deputy reported that Bedard has a significant driving history to include driving 105mph in a posted 60mph zone in Polk County in 2022, and also getting arrested and having his license suspended for refusal to submit to a breath test in St. Lucie County. His license was reinstated a couple of weeks ago on August 1st.