Who we are
Lakeland High School; AS degree, police science, Polk Community College; BS degree, criminal justice, Rollins College; MS degree, criminal justice, Rollins College; Honorary Doctorate of Business, Webber International University; Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, Warner International University; FBI National Academy, 168th Session, 1992; Police Executive Research Forum, Senior Management Institute for Police, 20th Session, 1997; Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute, Chief Executive Seminar, Class 21, 1998; graduate, FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, 47th Session, 2003; graduate, National Sheriffs’ Association and National Institute of Corrections, National Sheriffs’ Institute, 89th Session, 2005; FBI National Executive Institute, 30th Session, 2007.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 1972-present: telecommunicator, deputy sheriff, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major, colonel; elected Sheriff of Polk County, 2004; re-elected 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas State Commission, 2018-present; Person of the Year, The Ledger’s Best of the Best, 2016, 2017, and 2018; Humane Law Enforcement Award, The Humane Society of the United States, 2018; board member, Lakeland Leadership Board of Directors, 2018 – present; board member, FBI National Executive Institute, 2018-present; Cornerstone Hospice Hero Award, 2016; Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award, 2015; School Safety Advocacy Council National Anti-Bullying Recognition Award, 2014; Church Women United Human Rights Award, 2013; Callyo’s Leaders in Online Child Protection Award, 2013; Polk County School Board Hall of Fame Inductee, 2013; Junny Award, Protect Our Children, 2011; Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award, 2008; Polk Community College Distinguished Alumni Award, 2003; Police Executive Research Forum, 1990-present; board member, Lakeland Boys and Girls Club Advisory Board, 2016; Inner Act Alliance, 2005-present; board member, Keep Polk County Beautiful Advisory, 2002; board of trustees, Florida Partners in Crisis, 2008-present; board of directors, VISTE, 2008-2019; member, Florida Sheriffs Association, 2005-present; chairperson, Legislative Committee, Florida Sheriffs Association, 2005; President, Florida Sheriffs Association, 2013-2014; member, Major County Sheriffs of America, 2005-present; Vice President, Major County Sheriffs of America, 2016-2017; President, Major County Sheriffs of America, 2018-2019; Immediate Past President, 2020 – 2022; member, National Sheriffs’ Association, 2005-present; School Safety Committee, National Sheriffs’ Association, 2018-present; member, State of Florida Medical Examiners Commission, 2005-2009; Florida Parole Commission’s Parole Qualifications Committee, 2008-2012; chairperson, Polk Community College Criminal Justice Advisory Board, 2005-present; Polk Community College Corporate College Workforce Council, 2007-present; member & Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary Club, Bartow, 1994-present; International Association of Chiefs of Police, 1998-present, Campaign Chair, United Way of Central Florida, 2021 – present; member, The Florida Sheriff’s Research Institute, 2021 – present.
“I am proud to serve the people of Polk County, where working together, we make a positive difference.”
~ Sheriff Grady Judd
