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.

May 15, 2019

Fifth positive rabies case confirmed in Polk

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Section confirmed on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, the fifth positive Rabies case in Polk County for the year.

On Sunday, May 12, 2019, PCSO received a call in reference to a Winter Haven resident who stepped on a bat that was on the ground near a home on Little Lake Court in Winter Haven. The bat was later found in the same spot, dead. It was sent for rabies testing.

The bat was confirmed positive for rabies on Wednesday, May 15th.

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