Polk County Deputies Surprise Sheriff with Replica of First Patrol Car

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd poses in front of a replica of his 1972 Ford Galaxie; the same model and year of his first police cruiser when he began his career in law enforcement. Image taken on Aug. 19, 2022. Courtesy of Polk County Sheriff's Office

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.