POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A late-night attempt to serve a warrant in Frostproof on Friday, June 13, 2025, escalated into a violent confrontation, resulting in a deputy’s injury and the death of a second individual.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd provided preliminary details Saturday morning, condemning the attack on his deputies.
The incident unfolded around 9:30 p.m. on West Frostproof Baptist Church Road when deputies were dispatched to serve an arrest warrant for failure to pay child support with a $5,000 “purge.”
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According to Judd, deputies located the suspect, who has not yet been identified, in a “junky area” approximately 75 yards off the main road.
As deputies attempted to take the suspect into custody, he reportedly resisted. Sheriff Judd stated, “He fought with them. They got one handcuff on him, and while they were wrestling with him and fighting with him in order to secure him in handcuffs, out of nowhere, a second suspect shows up with a long two-by-four. And hits one of my deputies in the head, Deputy Martin.”
Deputy Martin sustained a significant head injury, described by Sheriff Judd as having his “head split open.” He was immediately transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center for treatment and is currently being evaluated.
In response to the attack, deputies “immediately engaged and shot the suspect,” who was reportedly preparing to strike them again with the 2×4, which had been turned into a “deadly weapon.”
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The suspect was shot multiple times and later declared deceased at a local hospital. His identity has not yet been released.
During the chaotic struggle, the original warrant suspect fled the scene, still partially handcuffed. Deputies pursued him on foot and ultimately apprehended him after deploying tasers. He was then secured in a patrol car.
Following the apprehension, deputies returned to render first aid to the fatally wounded individual.
“It is very apparent to us that this man was trying to beat our deputies, injure our deputies, and in fact, split the head open of one of our deputies in an attempt to get this friend or relative… away from the deputies.” Judd added a stern warning: “It’s not all right to shoot at my deputies, to shoot my deputies, to stab my deputies, to try to stab my deputies, or to try to beat them with a 2×4 that was being used as a bat.”
Multiple investigations are now underway. The Officer Involved Deadly Incident Task Force for the 10th Judicial Circuit is leading the primary investigation. Additionally, the medical examiner will conduct an investigation, and the Sheriff’s Office will conduct an administrative investigation. All findings will be forwarded to State Attorney Brian Haas for a final determination.
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