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.

Jul 3, 2023

Celebratory gunfire—a dangerous and illegal way to mark Independence Day

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone that celebratory gunfire—the firing of a gun toward the sky to commemorate the occasion -- is not only dangerous, it’s against the law.

“People have gotten injured and some have even died in various tragedies across the country as a result of celebratory gunfire. When you fire a bullet into the air, that bullet will come down. It could hit a car, a house, or a child. And I promise you, if that happens in Polk County, we’re going to do everything we can to find the person who fired the shot and hold them accountable.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

It’s not unheard of for a stray bullet to land a mile away from where it was shot. Even if you’re inside of a house, you can still be struck by one of these bullets coming through your roof or window.

The handling of a firearm is something to be taken seriously, and never used to celebrate.