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.

Mar 9, 2021

Store clerk arrested for illegal alcohol sales during "Operation Pop Top"

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, Administrator

The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested a convenience store clerk on Monday, March 8, 2021, after he illegally sold alcohol to a minor, during an undercover "Operation Pop Top" investigation.

"These operations are carried out frequently at different locations throughout the county, to ensure that the stores and employees are compliant with state laws, by not selling alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. Kudos to those who did the right thing." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

The 17-year-old participant is a member of the PCSO Explorers program which consists of students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.

The Explorer visited five stores in the Davenport area, and she was successful in purchasing beer at one of the stores.

Deputies arrested 29-year-old Jeremy Purdy at the Circle K store at 2440 Sand Mine Road in Davenport.

The four other stores which were visited and were compliant were:
* Adilis gas station 44009 US Hwy 27, Davenport
* Chevron gas station 44039 US Hwy 27, Davenport
* 7-Eleven 44249 US Hwy 27, Davenport
* Circle K 45489 US Hwy 27, Davenport