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Polk County Sheriff’s Phone# 863-298-6200

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Polk County
Sheriff’s Office
The fourth largest county in Florida
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Welcome from

Sheriff Grady Judd

Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office Website. We are happy to provide this site as a resource for use by members of the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the media, and the public. By following us on the Internet, you can help make Polk County a safer place to live from the comfort of your living room. Check in often. And, if you need us - call us. We will always answer the call.

News & Events

Stay Up To Date With The Polk County Sheriff’s Office

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Charles Lake
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More than 3,000 felony child pornography charges against Charles Lake, former Lake Alfred City Com...

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4 arrested and 14 kilograms...

A Mexican drug trafficking organization operating in several states, including Texas, North Caroli...

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Apr 18, 2024
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“This is the third case since December where we have found a woman who is hoarding animals to the ...

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Apr 8, 2024
Emmanuel Espinoza brutally ...

The Polk County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit is investigating the brutal murder of 46-year-old E...

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Apr 8, 2024
Polk County has second conf...

The second case of rabies in Polk County this year has been confirmed, in the area of Maniac Lane ...

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always looking out for our community

Crime Stoppers

BUSTED: John Cordes

Oct 8, 2021
Media Contact : Brian Bruchey, PIO

***UPDATE: OCTOBER 12th, 2:30 PM ***
John Cordes was located while driving. A traffic stop was conducted on his vehicle and he surrendered peacefully. Thank you to all who shared this post and to those who submitted tips.

ORIGINAL POST FOLLOWS:

On Friday morning, October 8th, at about 5:30 AM, a concerned person called the PCSO about a suspicious light-colored 2008 Ford mustang GT at a church on Lake Parker Drive in Lakeland. 

Deputies arrived on scene, and approached the car on foot. 

The driver quickly accelerated the Mustang directly at the deputies who managed to jump out of the way. 

The driver attempted to leave the area, but crashed the Mustang near Broadway Street. 
At that point, the driver got out and ran, leaving behind an injured female passenger.

The driver was identified as 38-year old John Cordes of Gerber Dairy Road in Winter Haven.

Detectives obtained a warrant for John Cordes’ arrest with charges to include:
Aggravated Assault on a LEO (F2, 2-counts), Fleeing to Elude (F2), and Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Injury (F3), plus two other felonies and a misdemeanor.
Efforts to find John have so far been unsuccessful, so detectives are asking for the public’s help. 

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of John Cordes, please contact Detective O’Dell at 863-224-9778.
John Cordes mug shot
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:
* Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
* From your cell phone, dial **TIPS
* Or visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on "Submit A Tip," 
* Or download the free "P3tips" app on your smartphone or tablet. 
You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crime Stoppers and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

detectives going over paperwork
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