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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.

Dec 16, 2024

PCSO working death investigation of Polk deputy sheriff

Media Contact: Scott Wilder, Director

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation related to the death of 32-year-old Gregory Maynard of Davenport. 


Deputies responded to Maynard’s residence in Davenport at approximately 10:08 p.m. Sunday, December 15, 2024. When they arrived, they found Maynard in his bedroom with a single gunshot wound to his head. Two others were at the home when the incident occurred, an adult woman and a child. Neither directly witnessed the shooting. 


At this early stage of the investigation, evidence documented at the scene along with initial interviews of those at the home indicate that Maynard died of a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner’s Office. 


Deputy Gregory Maynard was a dual-certified deputy sheriff. He was hired as a detention deputy in 2015, and became a deputy sheriff in January 2017. He was most recently assigned to Central District patrol. He was not married and he had no dependents. 


Deputy Maynard’s death is such a tragedy. Our thoughts, prayers, and support are with his family, friends, and coworkers. We are making sure Greg’s coworkers have access to both peer and professional counseling. I encourage anyone who may have feelings of self-harm to reach out for help. Florida operates an outstanding Suicide Prevention Lifeline—call or text 988 or reach out through chat by visiting 988lifeline.org/chat.” -- Grady Judd, Sheriff