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.

Aug 27, 2021

21-year-old Bradly man arrested for shooting a family member

Media Contact: Scott Wilder, Director

On Thursday, August 26, 2021, at approximately 6:44 p.m., Polk County Deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a reported shooting at a residence in Bradley, south of Mulberry. Watch Sheriff Judd's remarks on our Facebook page.

Based on witness statements and evidence found at the scene detectives determined that 21-year-old Byron Quintez Dexter shot an elderly family member in the neck. Several other family members were in the home at the time. The female victim was flown to an area hospital where she is listed in critical/unstable condition.

Dexter was found by detectives riding a bicycle in the area after the shooting and he was taken into custody. He had a .22 caliber firearm in his possession. During questioning, Dexter admitted to the shooting. He was arrested for attempted 1st degree murder, aggravated assault with a weapon, carrying a concealed firearm, and shooting into/in an occupied dwelling.