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.

Nov 13, 2024

Man in boxer shorts attempts to burgle a home, and attacked two deputies

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested a man on Sunday, November 10, 2024, after he attempted to break into a residence, and then fought two deputies.

64-year old Eugene Albert Hendry showed up at the front door of a Mulberry residence wearing only boxer shorts, and tried to force entry through the front door. Three people were on the back porch at the time.

When the people became aware of Hendry's attempts, they yelled at him to stop and called 911.

Instead, Hendry became more aggressive, and then threw a large object through a window.

As Hendry was trying to enter through the window, one of the men shot a firearm toward him, but missed.

PCSO deputies arrived and attempted to secure him, but he began attacking the deputies. He punched a deputy in the face and attempted to remove the deputy's firearm from its holster.

The deputies managed to gain control of Hendry and placed him in the back of a patrol car.