Theodore “Pink Tie” Murray’s journey from a Frostproof contractor to a candidate for Polk County Sheriff is marked by a complex and often bizarre criminal history. His nickname stems from his signature attire during public appearances and campaigns.
Here is a breakdown of how Murray ended up behind bars on several occasions:
Recent Arrests and Incarceration (2022–2023)
Murray’s most significant recent legal issues occurred while he was campaigning for a U.S. House seat in 2022.
- The Apalachicola Incident (2022): Murray was arrested after a chaotic encounter with law enforcement. Deputies alleged he nearly rammed a stolen truck into a patrol car. He was charged with reckless driving, battery on a law enforcement officer, and resisting arrest without violence.
- Mental Competency: During his arrest, Murray made claims about being “guided by colors” and stated a reincarnated horsefly had bitten him. A judge subsequently found him mentally incompetent to stand trial, and he was sent to a mental health treatment facility.
- Jail Sentence (2023): After being deemed fit for trial, he was found guilty in July 2023 of reckless driving and resisting an officer. He was sentenced to one year and 22 days in the county jail, which he served shortly before launching his 2024 run for Polk County Sheriff.
Past Criminal History
Murray’s legal troubles in Polk County date back over two decades:
- Video Voyeurism (2003): While serving as a football coach at Fort Meade High School, Murray was arrested for secretly videotaping a 15-year-old student in a shower. He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of video voyeurism and served one year of probation.
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- Domestic Violence (2011): He was arrested on a domestic violence charge involving a partner, though the State Attorney’s Office eventually dropped the case.
The 2024 Sheriff Campaign
Despite this record, Murray ran as a non-party affiliate against the long-term incumbent, Sheriff Grady Judd, in the November 2024 election. Murray framed his candidacy around his personal experiences with the justice system, advocating for:
- Body cameras and dashcams for all deputies.
- A philosophy of “educate rather than incarcerate.”
- Increased accountability for law enforcement officers.
Murray ultimately lost the election to Grady Judd, who secured his sixth term.
Five months after badly losing that election, Murray became an inmate in the Polk County Jail, the facility overseen by Judd. Though originally brought to Polk from Leon County for a misdemeanor charge, one directly related to his campaign for sheriff, Murray has remained in Polk County Jail ever since and now faces additional charges, one of them a felony.