VOLUNTEERS: Sheriffs' Posse

By Marilyn French
Charter Member of the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Mounted Patro

The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol was organized in the spring of 1986 under the direction of Sheriff Frank Ball. Twenty-four dedicated men and women got together to volunteer their time and donate their skills as horse people for whatever service they could provide to the local communities. To qualify, you had to be at least twenty-one years old, own your horse, and able to be in Brainerd and ready to ride within an hour of a call-out. We have since extended our borders to include members from nearby Aitkin and Cass counties.

Soon after we organized, we began riding security at the Brainerd fair, participating in area parades, and giving free rides to the youth at the annual REA June breakfast—traditions we happily continue today.

Throughout the twenty-two years I have been a member, we have been called to search for evidence, lost children, the elderly, and hunters. Some of our members helped in searches for Jacob Wetterling and Erica Dalquist. Recently, we began helping with traffic control at the annual Jaycees’ Ice Fishing Extravaganza. We also have been invited to participate in various community and public awareness clinics. We like to inform people, especially children, about our equine friends and how to care for them.

In 2007 Marilyn French was recognized by Sheriff Todd Dahl for outstanding service to the community. With her to accept the award were, from left, Shari Sullivan, Norm Miller, Mary Antonsen, John Francis, Sheriff Dahl, Marilyn, Karen Broadmarkle, Shara Martineau, Lee Christensen, Tammy Blazek, and Steve Lanz.

In order to maintain an active status, every spring each member and horse must pass a challenging course of obstacles that would normally spook a horse. Because we may be called out for almost any kind of situation, our horses must be prepared to be in congested traffic, large crowds, loud noises, sirens, firecrackers, and trains—sometimes with helicopters overhead. Though not many horses are totally "bomb-proof" we strive to have a solid, steady, and level-headed horse under our saddle, for our own safety as well as for those around us. For this reason, we must acquire a certain amount of hours in training each year. We meet on a monthly basis to review our plans and training schedules. Each member must be CPR and first-aid certified. 

In April, many of our members participate in a three-day advanced training clinic put on by the Wadena Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol. There are about one hundred sheriffs’ deputies and horses from a dozen or more counties involved. Two days are spent on intense skill training and horsemanship. On Sunday, all horses and riders are time tested. Crow Wing County has brought home various ribbons and trophies in all events.

In September of this year we met at Black Diamond Quarterhorse Ranch near Crosby, for a three-day air-scenting clinic put on by Terry Nowacki,  certified equine sensory trainer. We learned how to read the small, subtle physical and audible signs a horse gives when he sees or senses something strange.

The horse has survived extinction because of these very basic instincts, which we humans have tried to desensitize as we correct them when they don't go where we want them to go. We are extremely excited that our horses, like dogs, have excellent vision and smell and are very capable of finding hidden and lost objects, as well as cadavers and living people. We will be training more extensively this coming year to help develop this basic natural ability that our horses have.

Lieutenant John Francis and several squad leaders and officers meet each fall at various counties for a group roundtable discussion. We will be hosting next year’s meeting. Various topics are discussed relating to our responsibilities to our horses, the sheriff’s department, and the public and how we can be of better service to the community.

Because we are a volunteer horse group, we are financially responsible for expenses related to our horses, trailers, tack, uniforms, equipment, and training, and gas for our vehicles. The patrol owns radios, flags, and GPS systems. The local merchants have been very generous to our cause, and have donated money and various equipment which has helped tremendously. We are always updating our training skills to be more effective.

I am a charter member and have served with four sheriffs. Seventeen years ago my daughter, Shara Martineau, became a member, and last year her daughter, Janessa, also joined. We now have three generations of proud members in the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol.

I retired Chucky, my thirty-two-year-old Arabian gelding in 2006. He was my rock, enduring all kinds of various situations that could unnerve a normal horse. He always came through and it has been very hard for me, at age seventy-three, to begin riding a youngster that hasn't been proven yet. I am training a grey Quarter horse gelding that I raised as an orphan. His name is Gemni. He is still a little silly around traffic, but I am letting my granddaughter put some hours on him to get him ready for grandma. I have to use a mounting block when I get on now, but when I joined I could swing on and dismount pretty fast.

Last year I was given a plaque at the annual sheriff’s award meeting for outstanding service to the community, presented by Sheriff Todd Dahl. It has been an honor all these years to wear the uniform and be a part of the mounted horse patrol. I don't know how long I will continue but, if I can still get on and off, I will continue to ride

We have equipment for twenty-four members and currently have a full patrol. However, we continue to accept applications for auxiliary membership. You do not have to own a horse, you just need to have a great love for them and be willing to help mounted patrol members at various events. If this is something you would be interested in, please contact Lt. John Francis, (218) 927-3217.

There is an indescribable and indefinable bond
between a girl and her horse.
I don't understand it and I can't explain it.
I just accept it.