Marion County residents have cast their votes and decided the name of a new equine deputy with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
On Friday, MCSO announced that residents elected to name its newest horse deputy “Justice.”
“This strong, noble name is the perfect fit, and he is ready to serve the community alongside our team,” reads a statement from MCSO.
The sheriff’s mounted unit was created over 60 years ago and can actively be seen at most community events. According to MCSO, the unit meets on the first Tuesday of every month and trains twice a month. The county’s mounted unit is led by Lieutenant Mike Joyner.
“When using our horses for crowd control or special events, they act as a tower of law enforcement visibility for the safety and security of those in attendance,” reads a statement from MCSO’s website.
In addition to Justice, MCSO’s mounted unit is comprised of at least four other horse deputies: Blue, Chip, Sky, and Waylon.
While MCSO’s mounted unit has been in operation for decades, the Ocala Police Department’s mounted unit was disbanded in 2004 and was just reinstated last year.
During a ceremony last October, OPD welcomed horses Merci and Lancelot to its department during a pinning ceremony held at Citizens Circle in downtown Ocala.
Have you had any encounters with the county or city’s mounted units? Share your photos and comments or, if you have more to say on the topic, write a letter to the editor.