Sheriff's Office
Mounted Unit
The mission of the Kent County Sheriff's Office Mounted Unit is to patrol designated areas on horseback, enforce laws, perform crowd control to maintain public safety, conduct search and rescue missions, and increase community policing effectiveness through high visibility.
Our Story
In 2003, Millennium Park in Walker opened. Sheriff Stelma (retired) felt a mounted unit would be a very effective method of policing the 1,400 acres of less accessible areas, which included natural areas, remote trails, lakes, and streams. In 2005, Sheriff Stelma proposed creating a mounted unit to the Kent County Sheriff's Office Traffic Squad. During the two-year project, the KCSO Traffic Squad met with and interviewed mounted units nationwide to discuss the ideal breed, age, and gender of mounted unit horses, preferred saddles and tack, and facility ideas.
In 2007, the Kent County Sheriff's Office Mounted Unit was created.
Our Facility
The Mounted Unit's first facility was at the Kent County Sheriff's Office Honor Camp, a facility for the Kent County Correctional Facility's non-violent offenders. Housing the horses at the facility provided work opportunities for the inmates.
After the Honor Camp closed in 2011, the KCSO identified a future facility site in Rockford. A private family donated 31 acres to the Kent County Parks Department, which granted the land to the KCSO, intending to make the property accessible to the public.
The 20,000-square-foot indoor training center comprises 11 stalls, a locker room, a classroom, and an indoor riding arena. The arena is used by local 4-H groups and middle and high school riding teams and provides recreational riding opportunities for persons with special needs. The entire facility was constructed without taxpayer money through donations and sponsorships.
The Horses Click on a horse's picture to learn more about them!
Gatsby
Gatsby
Gelding
BREED 1/4 Percheron & 3/4 Thoroughbred
COLOR Bay
DISTINGUISHING MARKS Folded ear, star on forehead
HEIGHT 16 hands
WEIGHT 1,174 lbs
FUN FACT The tip of one of Gatsby's ears is crooked due to frostbite he sustained as a foal in Canada.
Hondo
Hondo
Gelding
FOALED April 20, 2013
BREED 1/2 Percheron & 1/2 Quarter horse
COLOR Dapple Gray
DISTINGUISHING MARKS Three white socks
HEIGHT 16 hands
WEIGHT 1,174 lbs
FUN FACTS Hondo and his rider, Melissa Gokey, took 4th place in equitation during the 37th Annual National Mounted Police Colloquium in Lexington, KY. He and his rider Nate Fynewever also took 5th place in individual obstacles and 7th overall combined during the 36th Annual National Mounted Police Colloquium in Lexington, KY.
Hugo
Hugo
Gelding
FOALED May 1, 2013
BREED 1/2 Percheron & 1/2 Thoroughbred
COLOR Bay
DISTINGUISHING MARKS Star on forehead
HEIGHT 16-1
WEIGHT 1,277 lbs
Liberty
Liberty
Gelding
FOALED May 23, 2018
BREED 1/2 Percheron & 1/2 Thoroughbred
COLOR Bay
FUN FACTS Liberty and his rider, Emily Gerke, took 1st place in equitation during the 37th Annual National Mounted Police Colloquium in Lexington, KY. He was purchased in May 2022 from Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, and was trained by Jessica Maggi under the supervision of trainer Jesse Westfall.
Lincoln
Lincoln
Gelding
FOALED June 2, 2018
BREED 1/2 Percheron & 1/2 Thoroughbred
COLOR Reddish Bay
DISTINGUISHING MARKS Star on forehead, LH white fetlock with ermine spots
FUN FACTS Lincoln was purchased in May 2022 from Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. He was trained by Kimry (Cannon) Vazquez under the supervision of trainer Jesse Westfall.
Jess
Jess
Gelding
FOALED January 1, 2014
BREED Percheron
COLOR Black
DISTINGUISHING MARKS Star on face
FUN FACTS Jess' real name is Jessabelle. He was purchased in February 2023 from Louisville Metro Mounted Police. His brother, Sonny, still works with Louisville Metro PD.
Maximus
Maximus
Gelding
FOALED May 11, 2019
BREED Clydesdale / Thoroughbred
COLOR Sorrel
DISTINGUISHING MARKS Blaze with white lower lip
HEIGHT 16-2
FUN FACTS Maximus was purchased in May 2023 from Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. He was trained by Denae Jetter and Shelby Chapman under the supervision of trainer Jesse Westfall.
Maccabee
Maccabee
Gelding
FOALED May 30, 2019
BREED Clydesdale / Thoroughbred
COLOR Bay
DISTINGUISHING MARKS Star on face, connected strip, small snip, white lower
lip
HEIGHT 16-3
FUN FACTS Maccabee was purchased May 2023 from Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. He was trained by Lizzy Nicosia and Emma Ingalls under the supervision of trainer Jesse Westfall.
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Retired Horses
Jesse
Angus
Bo
RJ
Rojo
Dewey
Clancy
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Fallen Heroes
Hank
Hank passed away from Potomac Horse Fever on August 20, 2022. We will forever remember “Hank the Tank” as a gentle giant with a distinguished “L” on his forehead. He was incredible with kids and undeniably a unit favorite.
Hank was with the unit for five years and came to us from Asbury University in Willmore, Kentucky. He was an 8.5-year-old Percheron/Thoroughbred cross gelding.
The Officers
Traffic Squad Captain Don DeGroot
Sergeant Bryan Clark
Sergeant Randy Haverkamp
Sergeant Tim Johnston
Sergeant Joy Matthews - Mounted Unit Commander
Traffic Squad Deputy Maurizio Arcidiacono
Officer Brian Brinks
Deputy Charles Bush
Traffic Squad Deputy Steve DeMan
Officer Thomas Doyle
Traffic Squad Deputy Mike Foote
Deputy Tanner Frederick
Deputy Emily Gerke
Deputy Melissa Gokey
Deputy Lilian Grusnis
Traffic Squad Lieutenant Ron Hall
Traffic Squad Deputy Ryan Hardy
Deputy Kathy King
Officer Kelly Momber
Deputy Michelle Racine
Officer Kaylyn Stephens
Officer Ashlee Triyonis
Deputy Celesta Vanderveen
Traffic Squad Deputy Tim Zeitter
Donate
NEW
2024 Mounted Unit Calendar
The 2024 Mounted Unit calendar is now available for purchase for $20.
Stop by any of our KCSO locations to purchase or contact Sgt. Joy Matthews at joy.matthews@kentcountymi.gov.
As always, thank you for support!
Challenge Coins
You can also purchase one of our challenge coins for $20.
The Kent County Sheriff's Office partially funds the KCSO Mounted Unit and its facility, but most funding comes from fundraising and donations. Your donations will assist with purchasing riding gear, facility equipment, feed for the horses, veterinary needs, and more - all of which will help the mounted unit with the continuation of law enforcement duties and community-relation activities, such as parades, park and pets, and educational programs at the Equestrian Center. We are lucky to have an amazing community that has supplemented our needs! No amount is too small.
Send Donations Via Check or Square
Send & make checks payable to
Kent County Traffic Squad Community Action Fund
701 Ball Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Please note on the check that the donation is for the Mounted Unit
NEW!
Request the Presence of the Mounted Unit at Your Event
Whether it's a community festival, parade, or charity event, having the mounted unit at your event can enhance security, provide crowd control, and create a positive and interactive experience for attendees. The officers and their horses are not only skilled in their duties but also serve as ambassadors, engaging with the community and fostering a sense of unity.
Fill Out Request Form