WINTER HAVEN, Fla.—It was 1972 and a banner year for Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. Two important things happened: he signed onto the Polk County Sheriff’s Department, and he married his high school sweetheart Marisa.
After 50 years in the force, Judd so has his finger on the pulse of “his community” that he can “sniff out” a crime.
So for his deputies, pulling off a “stealth caper” to surprise their boss, proved a difficult task.
“It’s not easy to surprise the man who’s been in law enforcement for 50 years,” members of the Polk County Sheriff’s Media Office told The Epoch Times during a recent visit.
“As a matter of fact, we didn’t even know about it until he [Judd] summoned us outside to ‘see something’ while taping his weekly ‘Throwback Thursday’ segment.”
“Look what I have,” Judd said in his Facebook “Throwback Thursday” video, smiling widely as he posed next to a revamped 1972 Ford Galaxie painted with the sheriff’s office’s original colors and insignia.
“This is the design of the patrol car that I first drove when I started to work for the sheriff’s office,” Judd told The Epoch Times. “This particular car was manufactured in July of 1972, the month I started.”
Judd said his team of deputies surprised him with the car when they were out for a photo shoot for his weekly Facebook segment. Deputies also gave Judd a plaque signed by Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis recognizing his 50 years of service to the community.
“But my goodness I’ve got to tell you, I thought this was a cool patrol car then, I think it’s an even cooler patrol car now,” Judd said as he ran his hand over the frame of the driver’s side door.
The sheriff’s office added, “No worries, taxpayers’ dollars were not used” and funding came from private donations.
The sheriff said that the car belongs to the department and will only be used for parades and car shows moving forward.
In addition to the car, Judd continues to receive accolades from organizations statewide. On Aug. 2 the Tampa Bay Buccaneers surprised Judd with a gift in celebration of his 50 years of service to a community that he loves.
“I love Polk County, I love the people,” Judd said. “Being the sheriff and being able to serve [them] is important.”
The custom-made football was decorated with the Buc’s official logo and the sheriff’s office insignia. In the middle was a brief thank you message is written in appreciation of long service.
“Congratulations Sheriff Grady Judd,” the message on the football read. “The entire Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization thanks you for your continued service and support for our community.”
“Wow! Thank you so much Tampa Bay Buccaneers for this awesome football in celebration!” the sheriff said in his tweet. “What an honor to be recognized by the best football team in the nation.”
Judd began his career in Polk County as a dispatcher in 1972 and “hit the streets” in 1974 in the patrol division driving a 1972 Ford Galaxie. He progressed quickly through the ranks—holding every position in the agency.
He rapidly flew up the ranks and became a corporal at the age of 22, a sergeant by 23, a lieutenant at 25, a captain when he was 27, and a major at 34. He ran for a vacated sheriff’s seat in 2004, and more than half the voters in the county elected him, and he’s been there ever since.
Entering his 18th year as sheriff of Polk County, Judd was elected by more than 95 percent of the vote in 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020.
His resume consists of bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and he has graduated from the FBI National Academy.
Judd said he always ends his day in prayer—praying for the officers who are working the night shift that they “return safely to their families.”
As Judd looks back on his half-century career in law enforcement, he said he has never doubted his choices—personal or professional—because the calling came from a “higher power.”
“I have always known what I was called to do. I know this is where God wants me to be.”
