Palm Springs police horses to retire
The last of the original group of horses the Palm Springs Police Department first bought for its equestrian unit 18 years ago will be retired next month.
The Appendix American Quarter horse named “Jack Daniels,” estimated tobe 25-years-old, will be removed or retired from the department’s MountedEnforcement Unit on April 30. “Jack Daniels” was the first horse bought forthe unit when it was formed in 1995, Palm Springs police Sgt. Mike Kovaleffsaid.
He was used in countless parades and served in memorial ceremonies,including the funeral for Cathedral City Police Officer Jermaine Gibson in2011. The horse’s pending departure follows the retirement of its longtimerider, Palm Springs police Sgt. Marc Melanson, Kovaleff said.
In the meantime, “Jack Daniels” would be used to train other horseswhile a search for a someone to adopt him is expected.
The PSPD asked the public’s help in funding the purchase of anotherhorse to replace “Jack Daniels” in the mounted unit, which consisted of fivehorses and four officers, Kovaleff said.
Palm Springs police urged anyone wanting more information regardingpolice horses to call Palm Springs police Sgt. Melissa Desmarais at (760) 831-1480.
