Mounted
Ken Shefveland June 28th, 2007
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol Unit
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, in an effort to expand its law enforcement capabilities and enhance the safety of its citizens, formed a Mounted Patrol Unit in 2003. Recognizing a need for financial support outside of the county budgetary process, the unit sought out the assistance of the "Pennies for Puppies" foundation. With the addition of this unit, the organization modified its mission of supporting the K9 activities of the sheriff’s office to include its equine partners and the name was subsequently changed to “Pennies for Puppies and Ponies."
The Mounted Patrol Unit is currently under the command of Captain Timothy Shea (Special Operations Commander). The team is supervised by Sgt. Anthony Aston (and P.H. Deputy "Shaker"). In addition to Sgt. Aston are Detective Barbara Taylor (and P.H. Deputy "Willie B."), Detective Kelly Willoth (and P.H. Deputy “Willy”), and Reserve Deputy Kenneth Shefveland (and P.H. Deputy "Slick"). Having recently retired P.H. Deputy “Rocky,” Reserve Deputy Kurt McGowan is currently on hiatus from the unit while he serves on the sheriff’s office SWAT team. Due to his recent promotion to Bureau Chief, Robert Beidler (the former mounted unit commander) currently serves in a part-time role with the unit along with his horse, P.H. Deputy “Duke.”
All of these deputies, with the exception of reserve deputies McGowan and Shefveland, who are volunteer law enforcement officers, are assigned to other units (patrol and detectives) and have as a specialty assignment, the Mounted Patrol Unit. All of the deputies provide their own mounts, housing, food, equipment, and veterinary care at no cost to Snohomish County citizens. The Mounted Patrol Unit deputies received their certification from the Seattle Police Department and they train together eight to ten hours per month in patrol, crowd control, and traffic enforcement.
Members of the Mounted Patrol Unit watch over the safety of visitors to our parks and recreational areas, patrol our bike and jogging paths, and greet visitors at “Pennies for Puppies and Ponies” fund-raising events. Like their K-9 counterparts in Patrol and Search and Rescue, these equines are selected for not only their health, courage, even temperament, and ability to assist law enforcement in serious and routine incidents, but also their exceptional public relations skills.
P.H. Deputy Slick
Police Horse Deputy Slick is a foundation bred Palomino Quarter Horse (gelding). Standing 15h1" and weighing approximately 1,500 pounds, Deputy Slick joined the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office in 2003 as the agency’s first commissioned police horse. Owned and ridden by Reserve Deputy Ken Shefveland, P.H. Deputy Slick is trained in all police mounted disciplines. Prior to joining the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, Slick was a working cow horse in Eastern Washington.
P.H. Deputy Rocky (retired)
Police Horse Deputy Rocky is a Bay Quarter Horse (gelding). Standing 15h2" and weighing approximately 1,600 pounds, P.H. Deputy Rocky joined the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office in 2003 as the agency’s second commissioned police horse. Owned and ridden by Reserve Deputy Kurt McGowan, P.H. Deputy Rocky was trained in all police mounted disciplines prior to his retirement. Before joining the sheriff’s office, Rocky was a Hollywood stunt horse.
P.H. Deputy Wynona (retired)
Police Horse Deputy Wynona is a Chestnut Morgan (mare). Standing 15h0" and weighing approximately 1,300 pounds, P.H. Deputy Wynona joined the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office in 2003 as the agency’s third commissioned police horse. Owned and ridden by Detective Barbara Taylor, P.H. Deputy Wynona was trained in all police mounted disciplines prior to her retirement.
P.H. Deputy Willie B.
Police Horse Deputy Willie B. is a Palomino Quarter Horse (gelding). Standing 15h2" and weighing approximately 1,400 pounds, P.H. Deputy Willie B. joined the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office in 2006 as the agency’s fourth commissioned police horse. Owned and ridden by Detective Barbara Taylor, P.H. Deputy Willie B. is trained in all police mounted disciplines. Prior to joining the sheriff’s office, Willie B. was used in show-jumping events.
P.H. Deputy Shaker
Police Horse Deputy Shaker is a Black Tennessee Walking Horse (gelding). Standing 16h1" and weighing approximately 1,700 pounds, P.H. Deputy Shaker joined the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office in 2006 as the agency’s fifth commissioned police horse. Owned and ridden by Sergeant Anthony Aston, P.H. Deputy Shaker is trained in all police mounted disciplines.
P.H. Deputy Duke
Police Horse Deputy Duke is a Chestnut Quarter Horse (gelding). Standing 15h1" and weighing approximately 1,400 pounds, P.H. Deputy Duke joined the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office in 2003 as the agency’s sixth commissioned police horse. Owned and ridden by Bureau Chief Robert Beidler, P.H. Deputy Duke is trained in all police mounted disciplines.
P.H. Deputy Willy
Police Horse Deputy Willy is a Paint Quarter Horse (gelding). Standing 16h1" and weighing approximately 1,400 pounds, P.H. Deputy Willy joined the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office in 2008 as the agency’s seventh commissioned police horse. Owned and ridden by Detective Kelly Willoth, P.H. Deputy Willy is trained in all police mounted disciplines.
P.H. Deputy (Candidate) Tjeerd
Police Horse Deputy (Candidate) Tjeerd is a Dutch Friesian (gelding). Standing 16h1” and weighing approximately, 1,600 pounds, Candidate Tjeerd (pronounced “Cheered”) is currently in training and his scheduled to officially join the unit (pending his successful completion of the mounted academy) in 2009. Owned and ridden by Reserve Deputy Ken Shefveland, Candidate Tjeerd is from the Friesland region of the Netherlands where he was trained in dressage, driving, and jumping. It is planned that Tjeerd will replace P.H. Deputy Slick who will be retiring. Tjeerd will also fulfill the role of the "riderless horse” for funerals.
