Click Here for ADA Accessible Format

Polk County Sheriff’s Phone# 863-298-6200

If in an emergency Dial 911

Polk County Sheriff Facebook Polk County Sheriff Twitter Polk County Sheriff Instagram Polk County Sheriff Youtube

Hit enter to search or ESC to close

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 Alicia Manautou. 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.

Oct 2, 2023

Murderer of a Polk County deputy and two others in 1981 dies in Florida prison

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

More than 42-years after the murders of Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Theron Burnham, Ray Beasley, and William Evans, their killer died Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the age of 74 while receiving ongoing medical treatment at a hospital while in the custody of the Union County Correctional Institution. 

Paul B. Johnson was convicted in 1981 of three counts of first-degree murder, plus robbery (two counts), kidnapping, arson, and attempted first-degree murder (two counts) for his violent actions that began just after midnight on January 9, 1981.

“Three innocent people were violently and viciously murdered that night in 1981 during an all-night meth-induced crime spree, and I personally lost a good friend in Deputy Theron Burnham. Johnson was captured by SWAT during a manhunt, and I had the pleasure of being one of two deputies to take him to jail. I am glad he hasn’t enjoyed a day of freedom since then, but the truth is, he should have been executed by the State a long time ago. Ultimately though, there is one final judgement he has to face—and based on the kind of person he was, I doubt that goes well for him.”Grady Judd, Sheriff
Theron Burnham
Johnson’s first victim was cab driver William Evans, who was robbed and fatally shot. The victim’s vehicle was then set on fire.

Johnson then got a ride with Ray Beasley and Amy Reid. When Johnson shot and killed Beasley, Reid fled to get help.

Deputy Theron Burnham responded to the scene and was fatally shot by Johnson with Burnham’s firearm. Burnham’s gun was never recovered.

Following his conviction in September of 1981, Johnson was sentenced to death for the murders, but due to appeals and changes in sentencing guidelines, Johnson managed to elude execution right up until his death in prison.