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.

Apr 10, 2019

Fourth positive rabies case confirmed in Polk

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Section confirmed on Tueday, April 9, 2019, the fourth positive Rabies case in Polk County for the year.

On Saturday, April 6, 2019, PCSO received a call that a dead bat had been located inside a garage at a home on Longleaf Circle in Lakeland. It appeared that no humans or animals were exposed to the bat prior to or after its death, however due to the fact that it was found inside a dwelling, it was sent for rabies testing.

The bat was confirmed positive for rabies on Tuesday, April 9th.

There have been three prior confirmed rabies cases in Polk County so far this year.