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 Alicia Manautou. 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.

Jul 18, 2020

SOLVED: Triple homicide in Frostproof

Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, PIO

****THE POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH HEARTLAND CRIME STOPPERS, THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THE FLORIDA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION, WAS OFFERING A $30,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION****

This case has been solved with three arrests. Click here to read that news release - https://tinyurl.com/y2h3u68e

Polk County Sheriff's Office Homicide detectives are investigating a triple homicide in the unincorporated area of Frostproof. The victims are: Damion Tillman (23 years old), Keven Springfield (30 years old), and Brandon Rollins (27 years old). Their information is being released with permission of their families. They are all three from Frostproof.

Preliminary information is as follows: Around 10:06 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2020, Brandon Rollins called his dad and said "Help" - his dad knew Brandon had gone fishing with his two friends, Keven and Damion. Brandon's dad drove to Lake Streety Road. When he arrived he found his son Brandon barely alive, and his two friends deceased. Brandon was able to say a few things to his dad, which we are not releasing at this time.

Brandon's dad left his home so fast, he forgot his cell phone. He drove to the nearest gas station to call 911.

When first responders arrived, all three men were deceased. They appear to have been beaten and shot. According to the families, the three men have been best friends for years and were fishing Friday night (on land, not in a boat).

We are seeking the public's help in this triple homicide. If anyone has information about this they are urged to contact PCSO at 863-298-6200. Heartland Crime Stoppers is offering a $30,000 CASH REWARD for information that leads to the arrests of the suspects responsible.