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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 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.
Apr 20, 2026
Four students arrested for causing a panic at Davenport High School
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey
Four students were arrested on Friday, April 17, 2026, after waving around what appeared to be handguns while in a parking lot at Davenport High School.
The guns turned out to be realistic looking water guns, but their actions caused the school to go into lockdown and prompted an immediate investigation by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident with the four students was witnessed by another student, who then reported it to a teacher.
All four of the students were located off campus and the guns were determined to only be water guns that the four were using in a game known as “Senior Assassin.”
“As a result of their actions, students, staff, and parents were thrown into a panic, school was disrupted, and a prompt law enforcement response was merited. On a positive note, everyone involved handled their responsibilities flawlessly, and the school was able to get back to normal very quickly. We take these things very seriously, and we are going to hold people accountable.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
All four of the students (three 18-year-olds, and a 17-year-old) were charged with Disruption of a School Function (a 2nd Degree Misdemeanor).