Chautauqua County recently bid farewell to a law enforcement tradition, as the Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol Division retired after 75 years of service. The unit’s officers and horses, a familiar sight at parades and fairs, performed many duties over the years, including search-and-rescue to crowd control, while serving as ambassadors for the Sheriff’s Department and building a lasting connection with the community.
Honoring active and retired officers were Chautauqua County Undersheriff Nathan Baideme, State Senator George Borello, Brian Abram representing Congressman Nick Langworthy’s Office, and Officer in Charge LeRoy Parker, who served as master of ceremonies for a celebration dinner.
The Mounted Patrol Division was established in 1950 by Sheriff Clarence Bell and Undersheriff Richard Monihan to provide traffic control, security, police escorts, and recovery assistance. Over the years, it had also been utilized for air accidents and search of lost cattle. According to Parker, officers on horseback had an advantage of greater visibility — both in spotting others and in being seen — as compared to patrols on foot or in vehicles…