Sheriff Grady Judd is a towering figure in American law enforcement, known for his no-nonsense approach, colorful rhetoric, and a career that spans over five decades with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. Born on March 10, 1954, in Lakeland, Florida, Judd has become a household name not just in his home county but across the United States, thanks to his outspoken style, viral press conferences, and unwavering commitment to public safety. As of March 30, 2025, he continues to serve as the sheriff of Polk County, a position he has held since 2005, making him the first sheriff in the county’s history to be elected to six terms. His journey from a teenage dispatcher to a nationally recognized law enforcement leader is a testament to his determination, grit, and deep-rooted belief in justice.thanks to his outspoken style, viral press conferences, and unwavering commitment to public safety. As of March 30, 2025, he continues to serve as the sheriff of Polk County, a position he has held since 2005, making him the first sheriff in the county’s history to be elected to six terms. His journey from a teenage dispatcher to a nationally recognized law enforcement leader is a testament to his determination, grit, and deep-rooted belief in justice.
Early Life and Roots
Grady Curtis Judd Jr. was born and raised in Lakeland, a city in the heart of Polk County, Florida. Growing up on South Combee Road, Judd was the son of Grady Curtis Judd Sr., a service manager at a local Oldsmobile Cadillac dealership, and Martha Judd. He had a younger sister, Lee Ann, and a tight-knit family that instilled in him a strong moral compass. From a young age, Judd was captivated by the idea of law enforcement. As a preschooler, he played “cops and robbers” in his front yard, dreaming of wearing a badge. His fascination deepened when he saw Polk County Sheriff Monroe Brannen pull up next door to visit his neighbor—Brannen’s brother. Another influence was his Great Uncle Joe McCoy, a sheriff in Tennessee, whom Judd idolized. A black-and-white photograph of a toddler Judd sitting on Uncle Joe’s lap, pinned with a star, remains a cherished memento in his office.
Judd’s upbringing was steeped in traditional Southern values—his father taught him that “right is right and wrong is never right,” a principle that would guide his life and career. Television shows like Gunsmoke and The Andy Griffith Show (which he still watches today) further fueled his ambition. By the time he was a teenager, Judd knew he wanted to be sheriff someday—a bold dream for a kid from a working-class family.
Entry into Law Enforcement
Judd’s path to the sheriff’s office began earlier than most. As a junior and senior at Lakeland High School, he worked for an ambulance service, gaining exposure to emergency services and building connections with local deputies and police officers. After graduating in 1972, he was eager to join the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), but his youth posed a challenge. The agency had just fired an 18-year-old for immaturity, and the HR director was reluctant to hire another teenager. Undeterred, Judd hung out at the sheriff’s dispatch office night after night, telling the captain, “I’m going to be the sheriff one day. It’s time to get started.” His persistence paid off, and on July 21, 1972, at the age of 18, he was hired as a dispatcher—becoming the first employee under 21 in the department’s history. Too young to buy ammunition himself, he had to rely on his father to purchase it for him.
Judd’s early years at PCSO were humble but formative. He worked the radio, fielding calls and learning the ropes of law enforcement from the ground up. After transferring to the Patrol Division in 1974, he quickly climbed the ranks—sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major, and colonel—demonstrating a rare blend of ambition and competence. By age 27, he was a captain supervising 44 employees, all older than him, a testament to his leadership skills and work ethic.
Education and Professional Development
While rising through the ranks, Judd pursued higher education to sharpen his mind and credentials. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Rollins College in 1978, followed by a master’s degree in the same field in 1981. His wife, Marisa, played a key role in his academic success, tutoring him through summer classes at Polk Community College after he admitted to coasting through high school. Judd’s education didn’t stop there—he graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy in 1992 and later attended advanced training programs like the Senior Management Institute for Police, the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, and the FBI National Executive Institute. He also participated in the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs Law Enforcement Exchange Program in 2011. These experiences broadened his perspective and honed his expertise, setting him apart as a sheriff with both street smarts and scholarly depth.
Rise to Sheriff
Judd’s ascent to sheriff came in 2004, when he ran for the office in his first bid for public office. Polk County voters, recognizing his decades of service and leadership, elected him with 64% of the vote in a three-way non-partisan race against attorney Kirk Warren and deputy Pete Karashay. He succeeded Sheriff Lawrence W. Crow Jr., who had groomed Judd as his successor after serving 17 years. Judd took office in January 2005 and quickly established himself as a bold, decisive leader. His re-elections in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024—often with overwhelming support (he ran unopposed in 2020 and won 84% in 2024)—solidified his status as a local legend. By 2025, he had served longer than any sheriff in Polk County’s 160-year history.
Leadership Style and Public Persona
Sheriff Judd is known for his “tell it like it is” demeanor, a trait that has made him a polarizing yet wildly popular figure. His press conferences are must-watch events, blending Southern charm, biting humor, and unapologetic toughness. Perhaps his most famous quip came in 2006, when asked why deputies shot a suspected cop killer 68 times. Judd’s deadpan response: “That’s all the bullets we had.” The line went viral, cementing his reputation as a sheriff who doesn’t mince words.
Judd’s approach to law enforcement is relentless. Under his leadership, the PCSO has cracked down on crime with innovative strategies, including high-profile sting operations targeting drug dealers, sex predators, and pedophiles. His 2021 undercover investigation into drug sales on LGBTQ dating apps like Grindr, Scruff, and Taimi resulted in 52 arrests, showcasing his willingness to adapt to modern challenges. He’s also a staunch advocate for school safety, implementing the Sentinel program in Polk County before it expanded statewide as the Guardian Program after the 2018 Parkland shooting. Today, every Florida school has armed guardians—a model Judd champions.
Community Engagement and Controversies
Beyond policing, Judd is deeply involved in his community. He’s served as an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida and Florida Southern College, and he’s been a Paul Harris Fellow with the Bartow Rotary Club since 1994. His honors include two honorary doctorates—one in Business from Webber International University (2015) and another in Humane Studies from Warner University (2020)—as well as awards like the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award (2008) and The Ledger’s Person of the Year (2016-2018).
However, Judd’s tenure hasn’t been without controversy. In 2018, he sparked outrage by tweeting a mugshot of a Black woman who stole baby formula, captioning it, “Come on, girl! What were ya thinkin’?” Many assumed she was a desperate mother, though she’d been in jail for unrelated charges. In 2024, allegations surfaced that PCSO detectives under his watch dismissed child sexual abuse reports, charging some victims with false reporting instead of investigating their abusers. Critics have also accused him of overreach, pointing to his support for red flag laws and a 2020 emergency order restricting firearm possession during BLM protests. Judd, however, stands firm, arguing that public safety trumps all.
Personal Life and Legacy
Judd’s personal life is as steadfast as his career. He married Marisa, his high school sweetheart, in 1972, and they’ve celebrated over 50 years together. They have two grown sons and, as of recent years, eight grandchildren. Despite his tough exterior, Judd’s softer side shines through in moments like his 2025 swearing-in of 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel—an honorary deputy battling brain cancer—as part of the teen’s quest to be sworn in by 1,000 agencies.
Politically, while the sheriff’s office is non-partisan, Judd often endorses Republican candidates and has praised Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as “the greatest governor in America.” In 2020, President Donald Trump appointed him to the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. His leadership roles, including president of the Florida Sheriffs Association (2013-2014) and Major County Sheriffs of America (2018-2019), reflect his influence beyond Polk County.
A Sheriff for the Ages
At 71, Grady Judd shows no signs of slowing down. With a net worth estimated between $100,000 and $1 million and an annual salary of $149,402, he’s built a legacy not on wealth but on service. His story—from a kid with a toy badge to a sheriff who’s outlasted and outshined his predecessors—resonates with Americans who value law and order, grit, and a touch of humor. Whether he’s locking up “bad guys” or bantering with the press, Judd remains a uniquely American figure: a lawman who’s as much a folk hero as he is a public servant.
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