Remembrances Police Horses That Passed Away in 2010
Pacific, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, who
had served with the U.S. Park Police since 2002, succumbed to hoof-related
injuries in January. He competed regularly in Police Equestrian competitions,
performed in the Musical Ride, and was a favorite with locals and visitors
alike on the National Mall and trails around Washington, D.C. See Pacific's Tribute Below.
Hermes, a 13-year-old Oldenberg, was euthanized the week of Feb. 22
after suffering complications related to colic. Since 2004, Hermes had served in
the U.S. Park Police in Washington, D.C. At 17 hands, Hermes was one of the
biggest horses and a longtime favorite of volunteers.
Newcastle, a 16-year-old Irish Draft/Thoroughbred with the U.S. Park
Police in Washington, D.C., since 2006, collapsed on April 14 during a training class for
new mounted officers and died. He had performed in the Musical Ride
and served mainly as a training mount for officers during classes at the Edgewater Stables in Rock Creek Park. Read Newcastle's Profile
Raj--a horse with the U.S. Park Police who regularly patrolled the National Mall and
worked numerous demonstrations during his several years with the department--was
euthanized the last week of April reportedly due to complications from an injury he initially sustained from
another horse. See a Photo of Raj at a Verizon Center Event
Three retired New York City police horses--Danny, Willis, and
Richie Rich--were euthanized on a Pennsylvania farm in April after the mounted
unit's captain determined the animals could not make the journey to new facilities,
according to a report in The New York Post. The horses were being treated for
various leg ailments. Read the Article and Watch the NBC Report
Cleveland, aka Jimmy, a police horse famous for his role in a 2004
high-speed chase after a stolen vehicle, died in July of colic after 18 years
as a police horse in England. He was 22 years old and reportedly the
longest-serving police horse with the Cleveland Police District, after which he
was named. Read the BBC Article
The death of Charlie, who served
in the mounted unit of the Lafayette (La.) Police Department since April 2006,
was announced on July 20. He had undergone stomach surgery and shortly
thereafter suffered intestinal complications and was euthanized. A statement
said, "The Lafayette Police Department has lost one of its most valued assets."
Read the News Article
Ricochet, the "well-loved" mounted patrol horse of the
Dillon (Colo.) Police Department died Aug. 22 as a result of intestinal
problems. He was a 9-year-old gray Quarter Horse/Friesian cross born on March
30, 2001. "I think that Ricochet will be sadly missed in the Town of Dillon,"
said Councilman Doug Roessell. "We will miss the uniqueness of his presence." Read
the News Article
Kandour, an 11-year-old Percheron draft horse, who was known
as the "gentle giant" of the Madison, Wis., mounted police unit he joined in
January, died Nov. 4 after reportedly "struggling with medical issues for
months." Read the News Article
Cody, aka Code II, was euthanized in the Fall after
suffering complications from intestinal problems. Foaled in 2002, Cody was a
Percheron/Thoroughbred who had served for several years with the U.S. Park
Police in Washington, D.C. He is fondly remembered for wearing a Santa hat while patrolling the streets
of D.C. during the holiday season. See Pictures of Cody on Flickr
--Compiled by The HOOFS Fund. Permission to repost with credit. If you know of any other police horses who should be remembered on this page, please forward relevant links, information, and photos to hoofsfund@gmail.com.
Image:
Pacific with USPP Ofc. Mariea Clowers
Remembering Pacific, Talented and Brave Longtime Veteran of USPP
Pacific, a 13-year-old Thoroughbred
gelding, who had served with the United States Park Police in Washington, D.C., since 2002, succumbed to hoof-related
injuries in January 2010. He competed regularly in Police Equestrian
competitions, performed in the Musical Ride, and was a favorite with locals and
visitors alike on the National Mall and trails around Washington, DC.
Pacific loved wading
into a huge crowd of people; feeling them pressing against his side calmed him.
He enjoyed providing a police presence at loud concerts, playing with the huge
soccer ball used for crowd control training, and having his butt
scratched. He was a willing and affectionate show-off who loved having his
picture taken.
Whether wearing protective gear during violent
demonstrations and marches, being fawned over by children, or showing Mounted
Unit recruits how to navigate obstacles, Pacific and Ofc. Mariea Clowers, of
the USPP Edgewater Training Barn, set the Mounted Unit bar high. Talented,
gentle, and brave, Pacific will be missed.
Remembrances Police Horses That Passed Away in 2009
Zeke, a
13-year old Clydesdale/Thoroughbred cross with the Lancaster City Mounted
Patrol in Pennsylvania, died Aug. 6, 2009, of a liver-related illness. Zeke
joined the city's police force in 2001. He reportedly had suffered recurring
flare-ups with his liver, but had always rebounded. The last occurrence reportedly
hit Zeke in a sudden and fatal way. Read the Full Press Release
Caesar's Hawk, a "much-loved" 17-year-old Thoroughbred serving as a
police horse in Calcutta, India, died of injuries sustained when he was struck
by a car that was carrying a police official. The car's driver was initially charged,
but later it was found that a deputy police commissioner was the person actually
operating the vehicle. The accident occurred while Caesar's Hawk was
on patrol Oct. 5, 2009. Read the News Articles in Express India and the Times
of India
Justice the
Protector, a retired 23-year-old police horse, died in November 2009 due to "health
complications," according to The Halifax (Canada) Regional Police. Justice served from 1993 to 2006 and had five different riders.
He was retired on July 1, 2006 at Canada Day celebrations and was adopted by a
loving family who provided a home for him for three years. "He was a true asset to Halifax Regional Police and provided a great
service to the citizens," the police said. Read the Press Statement
--Compiled by The
HOOFS Fund. Permission to repost with credit. If you know of any other
police horses who should be remembered on this page, please forward
relevant links, information, and photos to hoofsfund@gmail.com.
Buddy was a 16-year veteran of the Ocean City Police Department. He was promoted to sergeant at his retirement in August. (photo: OCPD)
Remembrances Police Horses That Passed Away in 2008
Chata, a 17-year veteran of the Shreveport, La., Police Department, died February 7 of an illness suspected to be cancer. Chata, an original member of the mounted unit who was near retirement, was a 21-year-old Spanish mustang. Read the official statement>
Stagecoach, a six-year veteran of the Fresno, Calif., Police Department, died after a battle with a stomach ailment, on March 19. He was a 10-year-old Standardbred. Read the official statement>
Sandy, an 11-year-old Thoroughbredserving with the United States Park Police in a training class for new mounted officers, died of an apparent aneurysm while on a training ride with officers in Washington, D.C. Buddy, a recently retired 16-year veteran of the Ocean City, Md., Police Department, was euthanized October 6 after sustaining an inoperable leg injury. He was a 27-year-old American Quarter Horse. Read the Baltimore Sun article> Floris, 21, was the oldest horse serving with the National Dutch Police Corps in the Netherlands. He died of an apparent heart attack while on patrol December 23 in the Christmas market of Almere, a city just outside Amsterdam. Floris was reportedly the favorite horse of all the police officers at his home base in the town of Nunspeet. Link to the news article in Dutch>
--Compiled by The
HOOFS Fund. Permission to repost with credit. If you know of any other
police horses who should be remembered on this page, please forward
relevant links, information, and photos to hoofsfund@gmail.com.
