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 19, 2022

PCSO picks top K-9 teams for annual award

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit recognizes their top three outstanding teams each year, with the top team receiving the "3655K" K-9 Team Award.

The award is named in honor of Deputy Sheriff Vernon "Matt" Williams and his K-9 partner DiOGi. Both were ambushed and killed in 2006. Williams' ID number was 3665K.

Due to the Covid pandemic, the awards for the 2020 and 2021 recipients were postponed.

This week, Master Deputy Terry Roberts and his K-9 partners Gunner and Cat were presented with the top award for 2020.

2nd place was awarded to Deputy Daniel Darr and his K-9 partner Dexter.

3rd place was awarded to Master Deputy Scott Cronin an his K-9 partner Vise.

The awards for 2021 will be presented later this year.

Past recipients of the 3655K K-9 Team Award are:
Master Deputy Mike Ard & Winton (2018)
Deputy Amber Ludlow and Bones and Trace (2019)