Actions and Events of the Pierce County Sheriffs Posse
One of the first acts by Pierce County Sheriff’s Posse after organizing in 1945 was to assist in the search for a missing girl. At that time, the Sheriff was a posse rider.
More recently, Posse riders discovered a woman who had fallen and injured herself on a trail above Elbe. Using radios, the posse was able to coordinate rescue by Elbe Fire Dept. A posse member stayed with the woman and guided rescuers to her location in thick brush using pistol shots. The woman was assisted to base camp and evacuated by helicopter from there.
Over the years, mounted posse members have provided assistance to the county in many searches and patrols. Most notably, helping in the search for four escaped convicts who shot and killed a deputy in the early 1970’s.
Additional Events
The Posse held a family fun day at which Pierce County Sheriff’s canine team and DARE officers gave talks and demonstrations. Many children attended.
Posse members gave talks at Boy Scout / Cub Scout meetings on leadership and right behavior.
The Posse provided shoplifting security and parking enforcement at a sidewalk sale for Pro Horse, in the 112th and Meridian location, maintaining good relations between merchants by seeing that Pro Horse customers did not infringe on neighbors parking.
Mounted posse members came upon a vagrant who had constructed an unauthorized dwelling in a county park, and notified deputies.
Members conducted a work party to clean up trash and litter in a county park.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse conducts several fundraising trail rides each year to raise money to support its annual Special Needs Rodeo. At this event, handicapped children and adults are invited to ride the horses (with ground supporters), participate in events such as roping, bean bag toss, etc. Lunch is provided for all. Prizes are awarded to all participants.
The Posse has provided mounted fence security at fairs and rodeos throughout the county.
Additionally, we have recently been involved in providing mounted security patrols, and plan to become increasingly occupied in this area. Businesses and activities who have a need for temporary horse security patrols can discuss this with us.
Special Needs Rodeo
For the past 10 years, the Posse partnered with Spanaway Stables establishing a rodeo for children with special needs. The program grew to over 75 participants. It offered the children the opportunity to ride a horse instead of just seeing it on television or hearing it in stories. These wonderful children competed in mutton busting, roping, steer riding, and horse riding. These activities proved to be a great medium for therapy, not only for the children but all the volunteers. Unfortunately, Spanaway Stables went out of business and the Posse saw a decline in the number of youth participants.
Determined to continue, the Posse partnered with E-quest, an experienced non-profit equine therapy organization. The event revitalized. The Posse currently serves an average of 60 youths each year and remains optimistic about the possibilities. Through enhanced outreach, the Posse hopes to grow the program to over 200 children in the next few years.
Poker Rides
The Posse puts on a series of 3 poker rides every summer to raise funds for the Special Needs Rodeo. These rides occur in May, July, and September at the DNR horse camp and trail system above Elbe. Rides are increasingly difficult through the summer. Prizes are donated by local merchants.
Patrolling
As the Sheriff's Department is increasingly busy, occasionally the Posse is able to help with patrolling. The Sheriff's Department has provided radios and training, and posse members may soon be patrolling county parks and trail systems, with the ability to contact deputies by radio if a law enforcement response is needed. Posse patrols are also possible for local businesses as negotiated.
See the Gallery
for pictures of past events!
