“Mounted Patrol says Goodbye.” A tribute to the horses of Birmingham’s Unit [Photos]

Why the long face? Today, Birmingham officially said “goodbye” to three four-legged officers in the Birmingham Police Department‘s Mounted Patrol. We took a trip down memory lane to remember these beautiful animals and their service in Birmingham.

The Birmingham Police Mounted Patrol

Photos of the Mounted Patrol throughout the years. Photos via Birmingham Police Department on Facebook

Formed in the 1970s, the Birmingham Police Mounted Patrol is a special unit of the Birmingham Police Department, specializing in police officers on donated horses. The unit was created after the Five Points West Merchants Association donated a horse—named Booger Red—to the police department.

Fun Fact: Booger Red remained an active member of the Mounted Patrol until the age of 35, finally retiring in 2002.

Mounted Patrol units specialized in regular patrols, crowd control and public relations. For example, the horses represented the Birmingham Police Department during the  inaugural parades for Presidents Clinton and W. Bush. In addition, the units were a familiar sight during the annual National Veteran’s Day Parade in Birmingham.

Retirement of Three Patrol Horses

Today, the Birmingham Police Department held a retirement ceremony for the Mounted Patrol. Photos via the Birmingham Police Department on Facebook

On Monday, October 26th, the Birmingham Police Department announced on Facebook the retirement of three of the department’s patrol horses—Blue Boy, Doc, and Gumby. The Birmingham Police Department held a small retirement ceremony for the four-legged officers, accompanied by their riders—Officers M. Cooley, J. Binion, W. Grayson, and K. Karmondi.

The Birmingham Police Department made sure to find loving, safe homes for their four-legged friends, as a reward for their many years of service.

What is your favorite memory of the Birmingham Police Department’s Mounted Patrol? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know.