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 Polk County Sheriff Twitter

Hit enter to search or ESC to close

Compassion and
Professionalism
Our core values
Learn More
Integrity and
accountability
Our core values
Learn More
Professionalism at
its finest
Proudly serving our citizens
Learn More
Committed to
excellence
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Learn More
Join our team
We're always hiring! 
Learn More
Eye in the sky
Keeping citizens safe by land and air
Learn more
Polk County
Sheriff’s Office
The fourth largest county in Florida
Learn More
sheriff.judd.sm
Welcome from

Sheriff Grady Judd

Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office Website. We are happy to provide this site as a resource for use by members of the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the media, and the public. By following us on the Internet, you can help make Polk County a safer place to live from the comfort of your living room. Check in often. And, if you need us - call us. We will always answer the call.

 

 

WE ARE ALWAYS HIRING!

Click here for more information about our sign-on bonuses for current law enforcement officers.

20K sign on bonus graphic
News & Events

Stay Up To Date With The Polk County Sheriff’s Office

View all news & Events
Justin Register
Jun 26, 2025
PCSO deputy resigns upon hi...

A traffic enforcement deputy from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office resigned Wednesday aftern...

Read More
NR Cartels
Jun 24, 2025
Eight suspects arrested and...

Eight suspects arrested and 64 pounds of Fentanyl worth $4.5 million seized in two separate Fentan...

Read More
Schuyler Barry-Austin, Vertrelle Walker, Jr., Deontrae Walker
Jun 23, 2025
Two adults and a juvenile f...

Three lads from Altamonte Springs learned that crime & Polk County don't mix

Read More
News Item Placeholder
Jun 23, 2025
In the wake of Sunday’s act...

PCSO offers free active assailant preparation training

Read More
Operation Pop Top
Jun 21, 2025
PCSO enforcement of illegal...

Two sales clerks arrested for selling to a 15-year old

Read More
always looking out for our community

Crime Stoppers

BUSTED: John Cordes

Oct 8, 2021
Media Contact : Brian Bruchey, PIO

***UPDATE: OCTOBER 12th, 2:30 PM ***
John Cordes was located while driving. A traffic stop was conducted on his vehicle and he surrendered peacefully. Thank you to all who shared this post and to those who submitted tips.

ORIGINAL POST FOLLOWS:

On Friday morning, October 8th, at about 5:30 AM, a concerned person called the PCSO about a suspicious light-colored 2008 Ford mustang GT at a church on Lake Parker Drive in Lakeland. 

Deputies arrived on scene, and approached the car on foot. 

The driver quickly accelerated the Mustang directly at the deputies who managed to jump out of the way. 

The driver attempted to leave the area, but crashed the Mustang near Broadway Street. 
At that point, the driver got out and ran, leaving behind an injured female passenger.

The driver was identified as 38-year old John Cordes of Gerber Dairy Road in Winter Haven.

Detectives obtained a warrant for John Cordes’ arrest with charges to include:
Aggravated Assault on a LEO (F2, 2-counts), Fleeing to Elude (F2), and Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Injury (F3), plus two other felonies and a misdemeanor.
Efforts to find John have so far been unsuccessful, so detectives are asking for the public’s help. 

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of John Cordes, please contact Detective O’Dell at 863-224-9778.
John Cordes mug shot
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:
* Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
* From your cell phone, dial **TIPS
* Or visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on "Submit A Tip," 
* Or download the free "P3tips" app on your smartphone or tablet. 
You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crime Stoppers and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

detectives going over paperwork
Latest Tweets

Follow Us On Twitter

Pride in Service

Accreditations

10 star accreditations
  • FloridaCorrectionsAccreditationCommissionlogo
  • FloridaTelecommunicationsAccreditationlogo
  • NationalInstituteofGovernmentPurchasinglogo
  • CommissionforAccreditationofLawEnforcementAcademieslogo
  • LawEnforcementAccreditationlogo
  • InternationalAssociationofEmergencyMedicalDispatchaccreditationlogo
  • PublicSafetyCommunicationsaccreditationlogo
  • InternationalAssociationofEmergencyFireDispatchaccreditationlogo
  • Floridalawenforcementaccreditationlogo
  • NationalCorrectionalHealthcareaccreditationlogo