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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 Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. 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.
Aug 15, 2025
Bartow man indicted by grand jury for 1st Degree Murder in the death of a woman he sold cocaine to last year
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
A Bartow man who has been in the Polk County Jail since last year was indicted by a grand jury for 1st Degree Murder during the Distribution of a Controlled Substance (FC) on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
On September 7th of last year, 48-year old Troy Cortez Walker sold cocaine to 65-year old Irene Anderson of Bartow, who died after consuming it. An autopsy revealed that Ms. Anderson’s cause of death was acute cocaine toxicity.
Walker was arrested by detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on October 25, 2024, and charged with: Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell (F2), Possession of a Firearm (F2) and Ammunition (F2) by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of Marijuana (M1) and Drug Paraphernalia (M1).
Four days later, Walker was additionally charged with: Conspiracy to Sell Cocaine (F3, 6-counts), Conspiracy to Sell Oxycodone (F3, 2-counts), and Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication Device (F3).
“Drug dealers are parasites in our communities who not only distribute illegal narcotics, but they also spread addiction, suffering, and death. I am very pleased with the work on this investigation by my detectives from the Organized Crime Unit, the Tactical Drug Unit, and the Homicide Unit, as well as the State Attorney’s Office. Troy Walker is a danger to society and should be locked away for a very long time.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Troy Walker remains in the Polk County Jail with no bond.