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.

Jan 8, 2025

82-year old man charged with attempted murder for stabbing daughter's boyfriend

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

An 82-year old man from Gastonia, North Carolina was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, after he stabbed his daughter's boyfriend.

Deputies responded at about 2:42 pm, to a residence on Saddlewood Boulevard, north of Lakeland, and arrested Rudolph Philson following an investigation of the incident.

The victim, a 43-year old man, had lived at the home with his girlfriend, but was in the process of moving out. He returned to the home to retrieve more of his belongings, but was confronted by Mr. Philson.

The victim was taken to the hospital with a single stab wound to the chest, and remains in stable condition.

Rudolph Philson was taken to the Polk County Jail and charged with attempted 2nd degree murder with a weapon (F1).