Polk County Sheriff’s Phone# 863-298-6200
If in an emergency Dial 911
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.
Aug 19, 2020
Fort Meade man arrested for DUI, battery on LEO, and other charges
Media Contact: Scott Wilder, Director
36-year-old Bryan Waddell of Ft. Meade was arrested yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, August 18) and charged with DUI with property damage, DUI (3rd violation w/in 10 years), driving while license suspended or revoked (DWLSR), refusal to submit to a lawful breath test, battery on a law enforcement officer, and resisting officer with violence. Waddell’s license was previously revoked on 06/14/2017 for DUI and the length of the suspension was for 10 years. Waddell had a prior refusal to submit to a lawful breath test on 04/28/2017.
Deputies came upon a single vehicle crash at approximately 4:43 pm on Tuesday, where Waddell had driven a Ford F-150 off the roadway into an orange tree at Lake Hendry Road and Garfield Road near Fort Meade. As they began to investigate, it became clear Waddell was impaired. Though he appeared to be uninjured from the crash, Waddell smelled of alcohol, his eyes were bloodshot and watery, he was swaying in an orbital pattern, and his speech was slurred.
When the deputy informed Waddell he was being investigated for DUI, Waddell told the two deputies he was leaving and going home. As he began to walk away from the area, the deputies took him by the arm. Waddell immediately tensed up, began to pull away, broke free, and then intentionally struck Deputy Sheriff Albert Williams in the face causing a contusion to the right eye, redness, and swelling to the right side of the face. Deputies were able to gain control of Waddell and arrested him.
Waddell and D/S Williams were both treated and released from Bartow Regional Medical Center. Waddell later refused a breath test at the Polk County jail booking center.
Waddell has a criminal history that includes seven prior arrests in Polk County and consists of DUI, leaving the scene of a traffic crash, resisting an officer without violence, criminal mischief, tampering with evidence, improper exhibition of a firearm, battery, disturbing the peace, and open carry of a weapon.