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.

May 6, 2025

Polk County teen raising money for Eagle Scout project to purchase training equipment for PCSO

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, Administrator

Vini Giovanini of Davenport, who is 13 years old and is a 7th grader at Ridgeview Global Studies Academy, has been involved with the Scouts since 2021. He began with the Webolos, then became a Cub Scout, and joined his current Troop 528 in 2023.

In his pursuit of becoming an Eagle Scout, he is raising money to purchase a state-of-the art piece of training equipment that will help Polk County deputies appropriately react and respond during shooting scenarios.

The device is placed on an arm or leg and while deputies are conducting shooting simulation scenarios, it is remotely activated, delivering electricity that disables the limb and simulates how it feels to be shot. The purpose is for a law enforcement officer to train to continue in pursuit of or engaging with a suspect, even while suffering from a gunshot wound.

You may remember another young Eagle Scout, David John, in 2023 who raised money during his "Beacon of Hope" fundraising campaign to purchase 50 Guardian Angel Micro Series Infrared Safety Lights (beacons) and beacon uniform mounts for the PCSO K9s. These beacons emit infrared light that can only be seen with night vision equipment and are used to track law enforcement officers involved in foot pursuits, monitoring police K9s operating off-lead, as well as assisting with the recovery of an injured deputy.

"We are blessed to have been chosen by another Polk County teen who supports law enforcement and wants to help train our deputies. With this equipment, we can better prepare deputies on how to 'stay in the fight' should they ever - God forbid - be shot in the line of duty. We are so proud of Vini and hope through this project he attains his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout!" - Grady Judd, Sheriff

Vini is available for media interviews about his project. Please contact his mother, Raquel, at 407-635-7125 or by email at rgvg2011@icloud.com.

Vini is participating in several local fundraisers while he works on publishing his own GoFundMe page:

Little Caesars fundraising

Posner Park Panera Bread RAISE SOME DOUGH on May 31st.

Self-defense and anti-bullying classes @ Gracie Barra in Davenport