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.

Sep 2, 2022

Operation Pop-Top: Winter Haven WaWa clerk arrested for alcohol sale to 15-year old

A sales clerk from a Winter Haven WaWa store was arrested on Thursday, September 1, 2022, for selling an alcoholic beverage to a 15-year old during the Polk County Sheriff's Office "Operation Pop-Top."

63-year old Terri Pippin was charged with Selling Alcohol to a Person Under 21, a misdemeanor.

"Deputies visited a dozen stores in the Winter Haven and Auburndale areas, and all but one were found to be compliant. We do these checks frequently, and we want to be able to report that all stores are compliant with the law regarding alcohol sales." - Grady Judd, Sheriff.

Deputies were accompanied by a 15-year old PCSO Explorer who would attempt to purchase an alcoholic beverage.

The PCSO Explorer program is for high school students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.