Sandra "Sandy" Friedt Woodard

Sandra “Sandy” Friedt Woodard passed away on March 4, 2022. She was born and raised in Lakeland, FL, she married and had a son, Tommy. She was a graduate of the Class of 1962 of the Lakeland Dreadnaughts. She started her Law Enforcement career at age 18 with the Polk Co State Attorney’s Ofc, later for Florida Highway Patrol and the Polk Co Solicitor’s Ofc.

In 1970, she started as a dispatcher with the Winter Haven Police Dept., where she met and later married L.D. Woodard a Major with WHPD. They spent 30 years married until his passing from Alzheimer’s Disease. Sponsored by WHPD she attended St Pete Jr College, Police Academy and eventually became the First Female Police Detective in Polk Co. She attended the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA for Forensic Evidence Investigation and eventually retired from WHPD. She spent another 15 years as a Detective with Polk County Sheriff’s Ofc. Over her career, she investigated all types of crimes, including homicides. She enjoyed fishing, shopping, hosting parties, and BBQ’s at home and dancing the night away at many local haunts here in WH. Her favorite tv shows were ID, Forensic Files, and true crime stories. She loved her bling, flowers, and cats. She was a member of FOP Polk Co Lodge 46 and the American Legion Post 8 in Winter Haven.

She was preceded in death by her parents, W.E. “Jeep” and Anna Margaret Friedt, and husband, L.D. Woodard. She is survived by her only child, Tommy Woodard of St Petersburg, FL, sister, Linda Friedt Ferguson, brothers Wayne and Tom Friedt, all of Lakeland, FL, and granddaughter, Lisa Woodard Dunn, Milton, FL.

A visitation will be held on Saturday March 12, from 10-11 am with a funeral service following at 11 am. Both will be held at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home 645 W. Central Ave. Winter Haven, FL 33880. Burial will be at Lakeside Memorial Park, Winter Haven.