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.

Apr 21, 2020

Second case of rabies confirmed in Polk County

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

On Saturday, April 18, 2020, a woman living on Saint Kitts Circle in Winter Haven saw an obviously injured bat, placed it into a container, and contacted Polk County Animal Control.

An ACO responded, retrieved the bat, and sent its carcass to the state laboratory in Tampa to be tested for rabies. The positive rabies was confirmed today (April 21, 2020).

The woman and the Department of Health were both notified. She was advised to seek medical treatment.

In 2019, there were 11 rabies cases in Polk County - five bats and six raccoons. This is the second positive rabies case for 2020. The first case was a raccoon.