Meet the Richmond Mounted Squad
Richmonders and visitors alike have seen and admired the city's mounted officers for as long as they can remember. The Richmond Mounted Squad is the oldest police unit of its kind in the Commonwealth. As early as 1894, "outriders" patrolled the outskirts of the city. Over the years the Mounted Squad has changed in size, numbering as many as 35 horses in the 1940's. The Squad's stables have experienced many changes as well going from Hermitage Road, to the Virginia Military Armory basement, to it's present location on Brook Road. There is no denying that the men and women of the Mounted Squad play an important role in helping make Richmond a safe and pleasant place to live and work.
Circa 1950
Current Mounted Squad Activities
Photo
By EVA RUSSO TIMES-DISPATCH
The Officers
Officer
-
Rich Fecht with the department since 1996 and
with the mounted unit since 1999. He is working with his partner
Rio.
Officer -
Monica Watson has been with Richmond Police
since November, 1998. She is partnered with S.S. Roadrunner.
Officer
- Craig Buchbinder has been with the Richmond Police
since
June 2005. He is currently riding the spotted Draft horse, Raleigh.
Officer
- Dawn Lehmann has been with the Richmond Police since
February, 2007. She is riding her horse, Beau who has completely healed
after breaking a leg bone.
The Horses
Rio - Joined
the
Mounted Squad in 2007. Is back to work and passing
every
test with flying colors!
Raleigh
- joined
the squad in 2008. He is a 2004 Spotted Draft
gelding
(from Virginia Sport Horses) standing 17 hands. He was
donated with funds raised by the "Friends". His extra
large tack was paid for by a grant from the Fan Women's Club.
S.S. Roadrunner (Roady) - A 15.2 hand, dark bay Standardbred retired racehorse. He's been with the squad since 2000.
Turbo Diesel -
joined in the Spring of 2009, a Percheron/TB cross donated to the Squad.
Beau - A 15.1 hand, dark bay Standardbred retired racehorse. He's been with the squad since 2009.