Polk Sheriff’s Charities, Inc. (PSCI) was officially formed in December of 2006, as a result of the tragic murder of D/S Matt Williams and K-9 Diogi after a routine traffic stop.  The community’s outpouring of emotional and monetary support after that tragic event ultimately demonstrated how a charity like PSCI would be supported.

To date, the charity has provided monetary support to PCSO members who are facing significant unexpected tragic events in their lives. Additionally, the charity has supported needs that the law enforcement community has identified, such as Christmas gifts for children in Polk County’s most economically challenged neighborhoods, support of organizations dedicated to assisting victims of domestic violence, and supporting the agency's K-9 unit for replacement of their beloved K-9 partners.

The primary goal of the charity, realized in January 2011, was to fund the Polk County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement memorial located at the Sheriffs Operation Center in Winter Haven. 

Another goal of PSCI is to annually fund scholarships for eligible high school seniors who meet the following requirements: the graduating senior must be the child and/or dependent of a full-time member of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office who has been employed full-time by the agency for at least one (1) year as of January 1, 2011, OR be a member of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program for at least one (1) school year and also be a graduating senior.  

On Monday, July 18, 2011, Sheriff Judd and the PSCI Executive Board presented scholarships to the following Polk County graduating seniors:

$1,500 Scholarships

Jennifer Yudichak – daughter of D/S Pilot Craig Hardcastle – attending Florida Southern College

Christopher Carpenter – son of D/S Ronald Carpenter – attending University of South Florida

Megan Dotson – daughter of April Dotson, Records Specialist – attending University of Central Florida

Nathan Mann – son of Captain Bill Mann – attending Brown University

Zachery McCray – son of D/S Mark McCray – attending Florida College

Andrew Casavant - Polk County Explorer - attending University of Central Florida

Jahlinda Jones – daughter of Linda Jones, Detention Support Specialist – attending Polk State College

$1,000 Scholarships

Allison Metheny – daughter of Tina Ward, Admin. Assistant to Sheriff and stepdaughter of Bill Ward, IT Director – attending Polk State College

Ashari Taylor – daughter of Yolanda Williams, CIC Team Leader – attending Florida Atlantic University

Courtney Wallace – daughter of Gracie Coke, Food Service Specialist – attending Florida Atlantic University

Caitlin Dupree - daughter of D/D Jan Dupree – attending Florida Atlantic University

Bethany Lambert – daughter of David Lambert, Telecommunications – attending Valencia College

Christa Acosta – daughter of D/S David Clark & Gina Clark, Human Resources Coordinator – attending Pasco-Hernando Community College

Cierra Boehmler – daughter of D/S Robert Boehmler – attending Harding University

Kayleigh Crowell – daughter of Sergeant Dan Munzner & D/S Kim Douglas – attending Hillsborough Community College

$500 Scholarships

Shelby Cone – daughter of Lieutenant Daniel Cone – attending Florida Gulf Coast University

Yesel Diaz – daughter of D/S Juan Diaz-Santiago – attending Polk State College

Makel Jones – daughter of Calisha Jones, Sheriff’s Service Officer – attending Polk State College

“These scholarships were made possible because of the generosity of the members of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, as well as private citizens and businesses supporting our charity. Thanks to your support, 18 Polk County teenagers will have a step in the right direction to a brighter future.” – Sheriff Grady Judd