{{short description|Sheriff of Polk County, Florida}} {{Use American English|date=January 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Grady Judd | image = Sheriff Judd portrait 2021.jpg | office = Sheriff of Polk County | term_start = January 4, 2005 | predecessor = Lawrence W. Crow Jr.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=Amy L. |title=Seasoned Cop Takes Over |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2005-01-06-0501050341-story.html |website=OrlandoSentinel.com |access-date=20 October 2021 |date=January 6, 2005}}</ref> | successor = | office1 = Member of the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention | appointer1 = Donald Trump<ref>{{cite web |title=Sheriff Grady Judd receives presidential appointment from Trump |url=https://www.sheriffs.org/sheriff-grady-judd-receives-presidential-appointment-trump |publisher=National Sheriff's Association |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref> | term_start1 = December 23, 2020 | term_end1 = December 23, 2023 | prior_term = | birth_name = Grady Curtis Judd Jr. | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1954|03|10}} | birth_place = Lakeland, Florida, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | spouse = {{marriage|Marisa Ogburn|1972}} | children = 2 | party = Republican | education = Lakeland Senior High School<ref name="Judd Wanted to be Sheriff" /> | alma_mater = {{ubl | Polk Community College (AS) | Rollins College (BA, MS)<ref name="pcso bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.polksheriff.org/about/sheriff-grady-judd|title=Sheriff Grady Judd Biography|website=Polksheriff.org}}</ref> | FBI National Academy }} | occupation = {{hlist|Law enforcement officer|politician}} | module = {{Infobox police officer | embed = yes | allegiance = 23px Polk County | department = Polk County Sheriff's Office | service_years = 1972–present | rank = 23px Sheriff }} }}
'''Grady Curtis Judd Jr.''' (born March 10, 1954) is an American law enforcement officer serving as the sheriff of Polk County, Florida since 2005.
== Early life and education ==
Grady Curtis Judd Jr. was born in Lakeland, Florida, to Grady Judd Sr. (1931-2020) and Martha Judd (1927-2005).<ref name= "family">{{cite web|last=Kelly|first=Donna|url=http://the863magazine.com/previous-issues-of-the-863-magazine/january-2014/polk-county-sheriff-grady-judd-the-man-behind-the-badge-by-donna-kelly/|title=Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd: The Man Behind the Badge by Donna Kelly|date=January 2014|access-date=June 11, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.com/documentaries/q-sheriff-grady-judd-polk-county-florida|title=Q & A with Sheriff Grady Judd of Polk County Florida|date=6 June 2015 |publisher=MSNBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fox13news.com/news/i-miss-him-so-much-father-of-sheriff-grady-judd-passes-away|title='I miss him so much': Father of Sheriff Grady Judd passes away|work=Fox13News.com|publisher=WTVT|date=February 26, 2020|access-date=May 22, 2025}}</ref> He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Rollins College, and graduated from the FBI National Academy.<ref name="pcso bio"/> He has been awarded two honorary doctorates. Webber International University presented Judd with an honorary Doctorate of Business in 2015. Warner University presented him with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Studies in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=White|first=Gary|title=Warner petition for graduation ceremony draws support|url=https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2020/05/13/warner-petition-for-graduation-ceremony-draws-support/112579864/|access-date=2020-08-13|website=The Ledger|language=en-US}}</ref>
He married Marisa Ogburn in 1972, three months after graduating high school.<ref name= "family"/> They have 2 sons, Graham and Trae, and 13 grandchildren.<ref name= "family"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polksheriff.org/about/sheriff-grady-judd|title=About Sheriff Grady Judd|access-date=June 11, 2025}}</ref> A grandson, Graham Cleveland Judd Jr., died at birth in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/theledger/name/graham-judd-obituary?id=19402088|title=GRAHAM CLEVELAND JUDD JR.|website=Legacy.com |access-date=June 11, 2025}}</ref>
== Career == In 1972, Judd started working for the Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) as a dispatcher.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sheriff Grady Judd {{!}} Polk County Sheriff's Office|url=https://www.polksheriff.org/about/sheriff-grady-judd|access-date=2021-10-19|website=www.polksheriff.org}}</ref> As the first employee under the age of 21 in the department, he was required to get his father to purchase his ammunition.<ref name="Judd Wanted to be Sheriff">{{cite news |last1=Chambliss |first1=John |title=Grady Judd Has Wanted to Be Sheriff Most of His Life |url=https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20050103/News/608088224/LL/ |website=Theledger.com |accessdate=2 November 2018 |date=3 January 2005 |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224002148/https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20050103/News/608088224/LL/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> At age 27, he attained the rank of captain, supervising 44 employees, all of whom were older than he.<ref name="Judd Wanted to be Sheriff" /> He was elected as the sheriff of Polk County in 2004, and re-elected in 2008, 2012, and 2016.<ref name="sworn">{{cite web|url=https://www.newstalkflorida.com/news/orlando/grady-judd-sworn-in-for-fourth-term-as-polk-sheriff/|title=Grady Judd Sworn in For Fourth Term As Polk Sheriff|first=News Talk|last=Florida|date=4 January 2017|website=Newstalkflorida.com|accessdate=25 May 2018}}</ref>
In the 2020 election campaign, Judd ran unopposed.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-11|title=No Contest: Grady Judd Will Be Polk County Sheriff 4 More Years|url=https://tampa.cbslocal.com/2020/07/11/no-contest-grady-judd-will-be-polk-county-sheriff-4-more-years-9/|access-date=2020-08-25|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-10|title=Polk Sheriff Grady Judd re-elected for four more years after no one ran against him|url=https://www.fox13news.com/news/polk-sheriff-grady-judd-re-elected-for-four-more-years-after-no-one-ran-against-him|access-date=2020-08-13|website=FOX 13 News|language=en-US}}</ref> He was re-elected with over 80% of the vote in 2024 to a sixth term, becoming the first sheriff in Polk County to serve that many terms.<ref name="Nutcher">{{Cite web |last=Nutcher |first=Paul |date=2024-11-08 |title=Polk Sheriff Grady Judd easily wins 6th term. |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/polk-sheriff-grady-judd-easily-wins-6th-term-becky-troutman-takes-county-commission-seat/ar-AA1tA0H8 |website=MSN}}</ref> Judd served as an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida and Florida Southern College.<ref name="pcso bio"/>
Judd served as president of the Florida Sheriffs Association (2013–2014)<ref name="pcso bio"/> and president of the Major County Sheriffs of America (2018–2019).<ref name="pcso bio"/> He is a commissioner on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission.<ref name="fsa bio">{{Cite web|last=Association|first=Florida Sheriffs|title=Polk County Sheriff Bio|url=https://www.flsheriffs.org/sheriffs/bio/polk-county|access-date=2020-08-13|website=Florida Sheriffs Association|language=en}}</ref> Judd has served as an active member and Paul Harris Fellow of the Bartow Rotary Club since 1994, and as a member of the board of directors for the club from 1996 until 1999.<ref name="fsa bio" />
Judd gained publicity as a sheriff with his "tell it how it is" demeanor.<ref name="sworn" /> In 2006, after a traffic stop resulted in a deputy and his K-9 dog shot and killed, deputies shot and killed the suspect, shooting him 68 times. Asked by a reporter about the number of shots, Judd responded, "That's all the bullets we had, or we would have shot him more."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Taylor|first=Gary|date=2006-10-01|title=SWAT teams shot suspect with 68 bullets|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2006-10-01-deputy01-story.html|url-status=dead|access-date=2020-06-02|website=OrlandoSentinel.com|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603120507/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2006-10-01-deputy01-story.html|archive-date=2020-06-03}}</ref>
In 2020, Judd was appointed by U.S. president Donald Trump to serve a three-year term on the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Beasock|first=Ray|title=Sheriff Grady Judd receives presidential appointment from Trump|url=https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2020/12/27/sheriff-grady-judd-receives-appointment-trump/4039682001/|access-date=2021-12-01|website=The Ledger|language=en-US}}</ref>
While the office of sheriff in Polk County is non-partisan,<ref name="fourcorners">{{cite news |url= https://www.midfloridanewspapers.com/four_corners_news_sun/elections-for-polk-county-offices-take-shape/article_d8d90e28-bbce-11ea-9b0e-132834a0e60e.html | title= Elections for Polk County offices take shape | work = Four Corners News-Sun | first1= Cathy | last1 = Palmer | date = July 8, 2020 | access-date= September 21, 2020}}</ref> Judd frequently endorses Republican political candidates.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.floridadaily.com/grady-judd-goes-to-bat-for-republicans-across-florida/ | title= Grady Judd Goes to Bat for Republicans Across Florida | first1= Kevin | last1= Derby | date= June 12, 2018 | access-date= September 22, 2020 |work= Florida Daily}}</ref> In a 2022 news conference, Judd referred to Republican Florida governor Ron DeSantis as the "greatest governor in the United States of America."<ref>{{cite web |title=Polk Sheriff Grady Judd: 'Innocent people are being murdered where prosecutors don't do their job' |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH41HRrZNyg |website=Fox 13 Tampa Bay | date=4 August 2022 |access-date=9 August 2022}}</ref>
In 2024, controversy emerged over allegations that PCSO detectives under his supervision dismissed reports of child sexual abuse, failing to take the victims’ claims seriously.<ref>{{cite news |last=de Leon |first=Rachel |date=29 October 2024 |title=Florida teen forced to collect her own evidence to prove she was sexually abused |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/florida-teen-forced-to-collect-her-own-evidence-to-prove-she-was-sexually-abused |work=PBS News Hour |publisher=PBS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Gary |title=Not believed: Charged with filing false report, Polk teen captured own evidence during rape |url=https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2024/11/01/story-of-lakeland-womans-rape-as-teen-gains-national-attention/75942133007/ |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=The Ledger |language=en-US}}</ref> Reports suggest that detectives, rather than investigating these claims thoroughly, accused some victims of lying, leading to charges against juveniles for false reporting while their alleged abusers remained free. Following additional evidence and further testimonies, some of these abusers have since been convicted, and sentences for lying have been overturned.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Leon |first1=Rachel de |last2=Lurie |first2=Julia |title=Police didn't believe a 12-year-old who said she'd been raped. Then she hit record. |url=https://www.motherjones.com/criminal-justice/2024/11/taylor-cadle-polk-county-false-reporting-investigation/ |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=Mother Jones |language=en-US}}</ref>
In October 2024, a PCSO detective received a letter of retraining over the handling of a child sexual abuse report and was ordered to complete online training regarding interviews and interrogations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=White |first=Gary |date=December 5, 2024 |title=Polk Sheriff's detective receives training order over handling of girl's 2016 rape claim |url=https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2024/12/05/polk-detective-receives-training-order-over-girls-2016-rape-claim/76701699007/ |work=The Ledger}}</ref>
A lawsuit was filed in October 2025 against Judd and the Polk County police department after a child sexual abuse victim was allegedly made to claim that the allegations were false and apologize to her rapist who was later found guilty after she was returned to his care.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/florida-teen-forced-to-collect-her-own-evidence-to-prove-she-was-sexually-abused|title=Florida teen forced to collect her own evidence to prove she was sexually abused|first1=-Rachel de|last1=Leon|first2=The Center for Investigative Reporting Rachel de|last2=Leon|first3=The Center for Investigative|last3=Reporting|date=October 29, 2024|website=PBS News}}</ref>
=== Undercover stings === In 2021, Judd led a six-month undercover investigation with the PCSO into drug sales on three LGBTQ dating apps: Grindr, Scruff, and Taimi, which led to 52 arrests.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stelloh |first=Tim |date=Jan 28, 2022 |title='Swipe left for meth': Florida officials using dating apps to try to find drug dealers |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/swipe-left-meth-florida-officials-using-dating-apps-try-find-drug-deal-rcna13908 |access-date=2022-02-03 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>
In February 2024, Judd led an eight-day long undercover investigation with the PCSO into human trafficking, which resulted in 228 arrests.<ref>{{Cite news |orig-date=March 5, 2024 |title=228 arrested, 13 rescued in Polk County human trafficking investigation, sheriff says |url=https://www.wfla.com/news/polk-county/228-arrested-in-polk-county-human-trafficking-investigation-sheriff-says/ |work=ABC Action News}}</ref>
In October 2024, Judd spearheaded a five-day long undercover investigation with the PCSO into human trafficking, which led to 157 arrests.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Disney employee among 157 nabbed in Polk County human trafficking bust: Grady Judd |url=https://www.fox13news.com/news/disney-employee-among-more-than-150-arrested-polk-county-human-trafficking-bust-grady-judd |publication-date=October 17, 2024}}</ref>
On 2 May 2026 Judd announced the results of wide-ranging, multi-day undercover investigation "Polk Around & Find Out": 266 arrests, 246 of which were related to prostitution and human trafficking; 19 suspects were charged with felonies such as traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/polkcounty/jan-6-rioter-maga-influencer-arrested-prostitution-florida-craig-long-ryan-yates/67-2e7d16f2-f076-4d5a-926f-767096ba241d|title='MAGA' influencer, Jan. 6 Capitol riot participant among hundreds arrested in Polk County prostitution sting|date=May 2, 2026|website=wtsp.com}}</ref> One suspect, Ryan Yates, had pleaded guilty to breaching the U.S. Capitol,<ref>https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/florida-man-sentenced-felony-charge-actions-during-jan-6-capitol-breach-0</ref> and another, self-described "MAGA influencer" Craig Long, had been photographed with Donald Trump and Donald Trump, Jr. (Judd prominently displayed the photograph at the press conference).<ref>https://www.wfla.com/news/polk-county/polk-around-and-find-out-judd-announces-200-arrests-in-prostitution-sting/</ref> Judd has worked with ''To Catch a Predator'' host Chris Hansen on multiple stings to arrest predators suspected of soliciting minors for illegal activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wfla.com/news/polk-county/fanboy-meets-chris-hansen-during-polk-co-child-sex-crime-sting-sheriff-says/|title='Fanboy' meets Chris Hansen during Polk Co. child sex crime sting, sheriff says|date=September 15, 2022|access-date=June 11, 2025}}</ref>
== Elections ==
=== 2004 === Judd was elected Sheriff of Polk County in his first run for public office. Judd received 64% of the vote in a three-way non-partisan race, against attorney and former FBI special agent Kirk Warren (20%) and Polk deputy Pete Karashay (16%).<ref>{{Cite web|title=JUDD WINS 3-WAY RACE TO TAKE OVER AS SHERIFF|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2004-09-01-0409010350-story.html|access-date=2021-11-19|website=Orlando Sentinel|date=September 2004 |language=en}}</ref>
Judd was preceded in office by Lawrence W. Crow, Jr. who served 17 years as sheriff and declined to run in 2004. Crow was appointed by Governor Bob Martinez in 1987 and served until Judd was sworn into office.<ref>{{Cite web|title=POLK SHERIFF PRAISED AS HE LEAVES OFFICE|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2004-12-19-0412190024-story.html|access-date=2021-11-19|website=Orlando Sentinel|date=19 December 2004 |language=en}}</ref>
=== 2008 === Judd was re-elected by defeating write-in candidate Michael Lashman.<ref>{{Cite news|title=The Ledger|url=https://www.theledger.com/article/20120807/News/608087657|access-date=November 19, 2021}}{{Dead link|date=March 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> Judd received 96% of the vote. Lashman received just under 4%.<ref>{{Cite news|title=The Ledger|url=https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20081105/News/608102630/LL|access-date=November 19, 2021|archive-date=October 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020180935/https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20081105/News/608102630/LL|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== 2012 === Judd again faced write-in candidate Michael Lashman, a flooring contractor from Lakeland, in his third campaign for sheriff. Judd again won 96% of the vote, with 215,320 votes.<ref>{{Cite news|title=The Ledger|url=https://www.theledger.com/article/20121106/News/608099842|access-date=November 19, 2021}}{{Dead link|date=March 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
=== 2016 === Judd ran for a fourth term of office in 2016 and was elected with 95.27% of the vote, compared to 4.7% for write-in ballots.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Summary Results - Election Night Reporting|url=https://enr.electionsfl.org/POL/Summary/1373/|access-date=2021-11-19|website=enr.electionsfl.org}}</ref>
{{Election box begin | title = 2016 Polk County Sheriff general election<ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 Polk County Sheriff general election|url=https://enr.electionsfl.org/POL/Summary/1373/|publisher= Polk County, Florida|access-date=August 29, 2025|language=en}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate | candidate = Grady Judd | party = No Party | votes = 245,515 | percentage = 95.27% | change = }} {{Election box winning candidate | candidate = | party = Write Ins | votes = 12,184 | percentage = 4.73% | change = }} {{Election box turnout |votes = 257,699 |percentage = 100% |change = }} {{Election box end}}
=== 2020 === Judd ran for a fifth term of office in 2020 and was re-elected unopposed, making Judd the first sheriff in Polk’s 160-year history to be elected to five terms.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-05|title=Sheriff Grady Judd makes Polk County history as he's sworn in for his 5th term|url=https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-polk/sheriff-grady-judd-makes-polk-county-history-as-hes-sworn-in-for-his-5th-term|access-date=2021-11-19|website=WFTS|language=en}}</ref>
=== 2024 === Judd ran for a sixth term of office in 2024 and was re-elected with just over 83% of the vote, making Judd the first sheriff in the history of Polk County to be elected to six terms.<ref name="Nutcher"/>
{{Election box begin | title = 2024 Polk County Sheriff general election<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Polk County Sheriff general election|url=https://enr.electionsfl.org/POL/Summary/3701/|publisher= Polk County, Florida|access-date=August 29, 2025|language=en}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link | candidate = Grady Judd | party = Republican Party (United States) | votes = 283,542 | percentage = 83.76% | change = }} {{Election box winning candidate | candidate = Theodore Murray | party = NPA | votes = 54,973 | percentage = 16.24% | change = }} {{Election box turnout |votes = 338,515 |percentage = 100% |change = }} {{Election box hold with party link no swing | winner = Republican Party (United States) }} {{Election box end}}
== Professional affiliations == In 2013, Judd was elected president of the Florida Sheriffs Association.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Florida Sheriffs Association|url=https://www.flsheriffs.org/publications/entry/florida-sheriffs-association-names-new-president|access-date=2021-12-01|website=Florida Sheriffs Association|language=en}}</ref> Prior to that, he served as chair for the FSA board of directors and held the positions of treasurer, secretary, and vice president. In 2018, Judd was sworn in as president of the Major County Sheriffs of America for a two-year term, and is now a member of the executive board as immediate past president.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Major County Sheriffs of America Leadership|url=https://mcsheriffs.com/leadership/|access-date=2021-12-01|website=Major County Sheriffs of America|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Awards ==
In 2019, Judd was appointed by the National Sheriffs' Association to serve on the School Safety and Security Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|title=School Safety Committee {{!}} NATIONAL SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION|url=https://www.sheriffs.org/programs/school-safety/committee|access-date=2021-12-01|website=www.sheriffs.org}}</ref> In 2025, Judd was chosen as the chairman for the newly formed State Immigration Enforcement Council.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/state-board-of-immigration-enforcement/state-immigration-enforcement-council|title=FDLE - State Immigration Enforcement Council|website=www.fdle.state.fl.us}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [http://www.polksheriff.org/ Polk County Sheriff's Office] * [https://www.lkldnow.com/part-3-sheriff-grady-judd-has-faced-controversies-protected-children/ Part 3: Sheriff Grady Judd Has Faced Controversies, Protected Children]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Judd, Grady}} Category:Living people Category:1954 births Category:FBI National Academy graduates Category:Sheriffs in Florida Category:People from Lakeland, Florida Category:Anti-cannabis media Category:Polk State College alumni Category:Rollins College alumni