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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.
May 3, 2017
Annual Polk County Peace Officers' Memorial Set for May 4th
Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO
In observance of 2017 National Police Week, the Fraternal Order of Police Polk County Lodge #46 and the Polk County Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Inc., will present the 30th Annual Polk County Peace Officers’ Memorial Service on Thursday, May 4, 2017, at 10:00 AM at the Polk County Law Enforcement Memorial in the Lakeland Veterans Memorial Park. The park is located on Lime Street, between Lake Beulah Drive and the west side of the Lakeland Center.
This year’s memorial service will include the addition of a fallen hero. Mulberry Constable Myrle A. Whidden will be added to the memorial after historical research determined that he was shot and killed in the line of duty on April 11, 1936.
A total of 32 other Law Enforcement and Corrections officers who made the “supreme sacrifice and died in the line of duty” while serving the citizens of Polk County with various State, County and Local law enforcement and corrections agencies will also be honored during the Memorial Service “Roll Call of Heroes.”
Family members of fallen officers, representatives from various Polk County Law Enforcement and Corrections agencies, public service organizations, and Federal, State, County and Local government agencies will be participating.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd will be the keynote speaker at this year’s memorial service.
Highlights of the service will include: Joint Agency Officer Processional March; Presentation of Colors by a Joint Agency Color Guard; Roll Call of Heroes; helicopter Fly Over; Retreat of the Fallen Rider by the PCSO Mounted Unit; bagpipe players; 3 Gun Volley; and Taps. The Harrison Singers from the Harrison School for Visual and Performing Arts will perform an ensemble of patriotic and spiritual songs.
Immediately following the memorial service, the 30th Annual Memorial Service Luncheon, hosted by the FOP Polk County Lodge #46 and the Polk County Law Enforcement Memorial Fund Inc., will take place at the FOP Polk County Lodge #46, located at 125 West Brannen Rd, Lakeland (east from South Florida Ave. @ Sonny’s). The public is invited to attend the memorial service and luncheon. For more information, please call Bill LePere, Assistant Chief (Retired) and PCLEMF, Inc., Chairman, at 863-834-8911.