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.

Jun 12, 2018

PCSO detectives arrest man for Winter Haven murder

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested first degree murder suspect 36-year-old James Williams in the Carefree Cove neighborhood after a Crime Stoppers tip led detectives to his location. He was taken into custody without incident.

Williams was arrested on his warrant for one count first degree murder, one count attempted first degree murder, and one count possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in the shooting murder of 23-year-old Nasir Sutton and the attempted murder of 38-year-old Bennie Joiner, on Sunday, June 10, 2018.

A handgun was also recovered during the arrest.