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Dear Friend,
So far this school year has been quite a memorable one. During the first week of public school, it appeared there was an active assailant situation at Davenport School of the Arts on August 15th. After some tense moments it was determined that there was no threat, and things calmed down.
If you're not familiar, a parent saw to young men near the school, dressed in black, and holding what appeared to be rifles. It turned out that the boys were holding BB guns (which did look like rifles) and shooting a target on their property.
That parent did the right thing. She saw something that looked like a potential danger, and she said something immediately.
And speaking of seeing something, and saying something, during the second week of school, 5-year-old Max Meza saw his substitute teacher stumble, fall, and hit her head on a desk, rendering her unconscious, during his Frostproof Elementary kindergarten class. While the rest of the children sat there, stunned and likely very scared, Max ran and got help. He saved her life. She ended up in the ICU and was unconscious and intubated for nearly two weeks!
For his bravery, we rewarded him with a new bike, new helmet, and a certificate of appreciation.
You can see the whole story on our
YouTube page. He's our hero.
I'd say the school year has started off pretty successfully, and I hope that continues until June.
Keep up the great work, everyone!
Grady Judd, Sheriff
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Release the Hounds!
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Four new PCSO K-9's hit the streets on August 26th: Trace, Preston, Cyndi Lou, and Cat joined K-9's Blake and Chase to give the agency six Bloodhounds. The newest members were donated by Find-'M Friends, Inc. in Citrus County. Each one of the trained dogs is valued at $10,000.
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Congratulations Captain Goreck!
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Congratulations are in order for Captain Greg Goreck upon his recent graduation from the prestigious Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) FL Criminal Justice Executive Leadership Seminar, class 7. Captain Goreck was hired as a Deputy Sheriff in 1996 after being an teenaged Law Enforcement Explorer. He spent many years as a K-9 handler and as the supervisor over the agency's Traffic Unit! He currently commands the Southeast District, located in Lake Wales.
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An Evening with the Stars...and K-9's
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Come join us at our "Evening with the Stars" Memorial Banquet held in memory of Deputy Matt Williams and his K9 partner DiOGi who were killed in the line of duty. Show your support for our PCSO K9 Unit while listening to some great music by Crossfire Gospel Quartet.
Enjoy this year's fabulous speakers, author Bazzel Baz, Sheriff Grady Judd and Sgt. Steve Hearth (Sergeant over the K9 Unit). You can meet and greet the K9s and bid on some fabulous silent auction items, all in an effort to raise funds to purchase dogs for the PCSO K9 Unit.
We are excited that through these efforts and your support that we have been able to purchase 18 dogs for the Unit!
Come out and show your support, Saturday, September 28, 2019:
6:00 PM -
K9 Meet & Greet and Silent Auction Preview
6:30 PM -
Memorial Banquet with Lone Palm's fabulous filet mignon
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Training That Could Save Your Life
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Our next FREE "Surviving an active assailant" training to help prepare citizens for a horrific event is scheduled for
Thursday, September 12, 2019, at 6:00 p.m.
We invite you to attend this free program presented by highly trained PCSO law enforcement professionals. Learn what the best practices are and how you can make a difference.
This training is designed and appropriate for churches, businesses, or individuals, to help prepare citizens for a possible active assailant event.
All sessions are FREE and are open to the public - upcoming classes are scheduled for:
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
PCSO Sheriff's Operations Center
1891 Jim Keene Blvd, Winter Haven
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
This training provides an overview of active assailant incidents and best practices about how to prepare for, prevent, and respond to an active assailant/shooter at your church, business, or another venue. The "Run, Hide, Fight" training model will be covered, including tactics and strategies of what to do when law enforcement arrives. Deputies will also discuss the potential role of Florida concealed weapon license holders and the legal justification of "lethal engagement" with an active assailant.
If you wish to attend any of the upcoming ACTIVE ASSAILANT TRAINING sessions,
please RSVP to crimeprevention@polksheriff.org, and please include the class you wish to attend, your name, your phone number, and if you have a group, the number of representatives expected to attend.
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Our Combo Class is offered this month too
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The PCSO Active Assailant Preparation Program includes the Concealed Weapons Permit class required by the FL Dept of Agriculture AND best practices on how to prepare for, prevent, or respond to an active assailant.
The class is scheduled for
Saturday, September 14, 2019, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
******IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND THIS NEW Active Assailant Preparation Program YOU MUST CALL 863-298-6242 during normal office hours (Mon-Fri, 8-5) to reserve your spot. There are only 50 spots per class so call now before they fill up.******
This program provides:
The requirements directed by the Florida Department of Agriculture as part of an application to obtain a concealed weapons permit;
And an overview of active shooter incidents and best practices about how to prepare for, prevent and respond to an active assailant at your church, business, or another venue.
The "Run, Hide, Fight" training model will be covered, including tactics and strategies of what to do when law enforcement arrives. Instructors will also discuss the potential role of Florida concealed weapon license holders and the legal justification of "lethal engagement" with an active assailant.
**This class will include firearm use or training and is taught by instructors at the PCSO Burnham-McCall Training Center.
The concealed weapon permit class is from 8:00 a.m. to noon, followed by a one-hour lunch break. The active assailant preparation training follows from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Once the program is completed, the student will receive a certificate of completion, to include in their permit application. Each student will also receive an application packet with instructions on how to apply, through the Florida Department of Agriculture.
CLASS REQUIREMENTS:
Students shall not wear loose hanging clothing and shall wear close-toed shoes. Each student will be required to provide the following:
1- A modern manufacture firearm capable of using modern ammunition.
2- 50 rounds of clean modern manufacture ammunition for the firearm that is brought.
3- Modern manufacture protective eye-wear designed for a shooting environment.
4- Modern manufacture hearing protection designed for a shooting environment.
5- Adequate sun protection. (i.e. hat, long-sleeved shirt, sunscreen)
6- Adequate hydration for extended outdoor activity.
Any questions about this course shall be directed to Brenda Wilkinson or Sharon Pate at 863-298-6242, during normal office hours.
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Our new PCSO members
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Here are the newest members of the Polk County Sheriff's Office who were hired in August. They look forward to serving you.
From left to right, front row: Asya Tucker, Naomi Davila; Kiara Skerrett, Tyronda Adams, Bryanna Lott, Elizabeth Patino, Michaela Butler, and Manuel Franco, joined by Sheriff Grady Judd
From left to right, second row: Marcia Meglio, Blanca Sanchez, Richard Keller, Tiffany Sonera, Rebecca Clague, Leeann Hall, Shatina Owens, Kristen Cleary, Nery Garcia
From left to right, back row: Timothy Grissom, Devon Johnson, Jason Fain, Andrew Knight, David Hynes, Christopher Jackson
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Join Us, and as a bonus, you'll get a BONUS
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Would you like to become a member of the Polk County Sheriff's Office and help make a difference in our community?
PCSO is still offering a Sign-On b
onus for new hires - and we're sponsoring academy classes. Start your rewarding career today!
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Psst...want to win a Jeep?
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The next Jeepin' with Judd is still several months away, but you can go ahead and purchase your "Cheep" Jeep raffle tickets (for a $20 donation) now. Kelley Buick GMC of Bartow has donated a 2013 4-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 4WD V6. The drawing will be held at the Jeepin' with Judd event on February 23, 2020. You do not have to be present to win...but why wouldn't you be? Only 3,000 raffle tickets will be sold. For more information, go to jeepinwithjudd.com.
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Ever get the feeling you were being followed by 210,000 people?
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The Polk County Sheriff's Office Facebook page is followed by 210,000 people. It's just one of the ways we keep in touch with those we serve. If you LIKE and FOLLOW our page, you'll get important information, learn about some great programs we offer, watch live news conferences with Sheriff Judd, see which criminals we're looking for and read about a few of the criminals we caught. Look for us on Facebook at @polkcountysheriff
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Sheriff
Grady Judd
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