Accused drug dealers may face murder charges following fentanyl overdose death
Two men from Polk County were arrested following the drug overdose death of a Volusia County man. Detectives said the duo sold the victim fentanyl.
Polk County deputies searching for individuals tossing trash at illegal dumpsite: ‘It’s nasty’
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation into what appears to be a massive illegal dump site.
‘Call your bondsman’: Polk Sheriff warns I-4 drivers to stop speeding as crackdown continues on highway
For the last year, Polk County deputies have been cracking down on speeders on I-4. The sheriff's office's traffic data shows that among the speeders they clocked, nearly 300 were spotted doing triple digit speeds.
Newest Polk Sheriff Grady Judd bobblehead sells out within hours of its release
The folks in Polk County really love their sheriff. So much so, that within hours of the newest Grady Judd bobblehead going up for sale, all of the sheriff's office substations throughout the county sold out of their entire inventory.
Former Polk County firefighter arrested after falsifying timecard to make extra money, deputies say
A Polk County firefighter resigned his position after being arrested for grand theft and fraud.
Accused arsonist armed with AR-15, handgun shot by deputies on I-4 following chase
Traffic came to a standstill on I-4 Sunday morning after an armed arson suspect was shot by deputies on I-4 near Dinosaur World.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd wants more armed people at schools in case of a shooting
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is advocating that every school have more than one armed person on campus in case an active shooter shows up.
St. Pete K9 helps capture 2 men accused of breaking into home on Hurricane Ian-damaged Sanibel Island
Two men who were supposed to be helping with Hurricane Ian relief efforts on Sanibel Island ended up in handcuffs after police say a K9 with the St. Petersburg Police Department caught them trying to break into a home.
Woman charged with second-degree murder in death of Polk County deputy
A woman is facing second-degree murder charges in the death of Polk County deputy Blane Lane.
Man calls 911, confesses to killing Polk County family member, sheriff says
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a domestic-related homicide in southeast Winter Haven.
Has Florida man finally met his match? Meet the equally eccentric Florida sheriffs going after these guys
The Sunshine State has become internationally notorious for the oddball miscreants who populate its police blotters and local news reports — known collectively as Florida Man. But an equally eccentric cast of hard-boiled sheriffs make a career of going after these guys.
Bartow man drowns after boat capsizes in Mulberry pond, Polk deputies say
A Bartow man drowned Wednesday after a small boat capsized in a Mulberry pond. The man he was with attempted to save him but was unsuccessful.
'They are going to go to prison': DeSantis signs bill cracking down on dangerous drug dealers
The new law increases sentences for drug dealers caught selling fentanyl or methamphetamine. It gives prosecutors the ability to charge dealers with first-degree murder if methamphetamine leads to an overdose death. As a capital crime, dealers could face life in prison or even the death penalty.
'Such a heartbreaking sight': Unanswered questions after child found starved to death in Davenport
Back in 2019, the baby’s family was on the radar of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The case was closed after an “undisclosed” period of time when caseworkers determined that the baby was being fed appropriately, and she was improving.
Baby Grady: Couple names newborn son after Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd
"We think we're in love," the sheriff's office wrote. "Congratulations to this sweet little family!"
Polk Sheriff Grady Judd named 'Sheriff of the Year'
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is a household name in the Bay Area, but now he's getting recognition on the national stage after being named "Sheriff of the Year" by the Major County Sheriffs of America.
Too drunk to drive? Polk deputies can offer rides home as last resort during NYE festivities, sheriff says
With 8 people dead in the past 44 hours due to fatal crashes in Polk County, Sheriff Grady Judd says the agency will offer free rides home -- as a last resort -- to those who become too intoxicated during this weekend's celebrations.
Sheriff: Deputy was justified in killing woman armed with shovel
Polk County's sheriff is defending the actions of one of his deputies who killed a woman who was armed with a shovel, calling it a deadly weapon.
‘I would have never let him out of custody’: Sheriff Grady Judd's reaction to search for Brian Laundrie
Sheriff Grady Judd is not involved in the Gabby Petito case, but the Polk County sheriff speculated on how he would’ve handled Brian Laundrie within his jurisdiction. For one, he said, Brian would have been taken into custody.
With COVID-19 misinformation on social media, Polk sheriff stresses importance of listening to doctors
Earlier this week, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office lost one of their own to COVID-19, leading the sheriff to stress the importance of getting vaccinated.