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PSC > Business and Community > Alumni > Stories
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Alumni Stories
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Grady Judd
1976: Associate of Arts degree
Grady Judd began his career at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in 1972 as a dispatcher. After transferring to the Patrol Division in 1974, he quickly progressed through the ranks – holding every rank from Sergeant to Colonel. In 2004, Polk County overwhelmingly elected Grady to serve as Sheriff by a 64% majority vote against two opponents. In November 2008, he was re-elected, with 99% of the vote.
Sheriff Judd has earned higher education degrees through the Masters level – having obtained both a Masters and Bachelor degree from Rollins College. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Senior Management Institute for Police, the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, and the FBI National Executive Institute.
Sheriff Judd has taught as an adjunct professor at both the University of South Florida and Florida Southern College. He is a past recipient of Polk Community College’s prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award and the 2008 Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award. He continues to serve the community on several boards and committees, including the Drug Prevention Resource Center and VISTE. In 2005, Governor Bush appointed him to the State of Florida Medical Examiners Commission, where he continues to serve. In 2008, Governor Crist appointed Sheriff Judd to serve on the Florida Parole Commission’s Parole Qualifications Committee. He also currently serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Florida Sheriffs Association Board of Directors and as the Florida Sheriffs Task Force Chairman.
Grady is married to Marisa, his wife of 36 years. He has two grown sons and one grandson. |
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David Cash
1976: Associate of Arts degree in Education
1979: Associate of Science degree in Fire Science
David worked as a volunteer firefighter in Lake Wales from 1973 until 1980. In 1976 he became the 10th firefighter hired by the Polk County Fire Department and moved up the ranks to Lieutenant (1979), Captain (1984), and Deputy Chief (1987). From 1988 to 1991, he served as Polk County Public Safety Coordinator, where he helped guide the operation of the County Fire Service, Emergency Medical Service, Civil Defense Division, Animal Control Division and Communications Division. From 1991 to 2005, he served as the Emergency Management Director, where he directed the activities of five emergency-related divisions including 911 Call Centers, Emergency Management (which handled the 2004 hurricanes under David’s watch), Dispatch and Communications.
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Wayne M. Durden
1977: Associate of Arts degree
Prior to becoming Felony Director in 1992, Wayne was the Chief of the Child Abuse Division and prosecuted child abuse cases exclusively for four years. During that time he developed a strong concern for children’s issues. He was a member of the local advisory group that started the Children’s Advocacy Center in Bartow, wrote protocols for the Center, and serves as its chair today. The Children’s Advocacy Center provides a single location for alleged victims of child abuse to be interviewed, examined, and receive psychological assistance. Wayne also serves as a member of the Board of Directors and is on the Executive Board of the Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers. | |
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