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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.
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Sep 30, 2024
Argument in Lake Wales ends with gunshots and the arrest of two men
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
Two men were arrested by deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office on Sunday, September 29, 2024, after a disturbance that included gunshots.
At around 8:11pm Sunday evening, PCSO deputies responded to Tupelo Lane in Lake Wales due to a disturbance that included gunshots being fired.
It was learned that three females had gone to a residence on Tupelo Lane to retrieve some personal property, but when they stopped at the gate, a vehicle pulled up behind them and blocked their vehicle. The vehicle was driven by 25-year old Dawson Watson.
Watson and the three people exchanged words, and Watson walked toward his residence.
43-year old Billy Paul Ross exited the residence and began walking out toward the gate, and Watson jumped back over the gate and approached one of the females aggressively, and a physical confrontation occurred.
Several gunshots were fired into the ground.
The females got back into their vehicle, and Ross approached. The victim said she was calling law enforcement. Ross reached into the car, attempted to take the victim's cell phone, and threatened the occupants with his firearm.
The vehicle left and more gunshots were heard by the victims.
Dawson Watson and Billy Paul Ross were arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail.
Watson was charged with battery, and Ross was charged with: armed burglary with assault, display of a firearm during a felony offense, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (3-counts), and tampering with a witness.