When Sgt. Lacey Polderdyke of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Workplace Mounted Division realized that Doc, a 26-year-old Tennessee Walker who had served on the power for a few years, had handed away, however there was no official resting place for the gelding, she jumped into motion. In response to the Detroit Free Press, Doc was retired however the officer who had ridden him for a lot of his profession, Sgt. Lee Eric Smith, had been killed whereas on obligation in 2018. Throughout his funeral, Doc was taken out of retirement to participate within the ceremony. Smith and Doc’s bond was so robust, a few of his horsehair was positioned within the officer’s coffin. However when Doc handed away in 2021, there weren’t any official plans for his stays.
Polderdyke knew she might have the stays of Doc and different service horses cremated, however they nonetheless wanted to a spot to be interred. So she approached Phil Weitlauf, president and director of the Michigan Conflict Canine Memorial (MWDM). Different officers whose horses had handed additionally requested Weitlauf about together with horses on this particular cemetery. He acquired the board to agree.
“One of many causes we arrange the memorial is as a result of the federal government gained’t maintain the army canine after they go away,” Weitlauf instructed the Detroit Free Press. “We discovered the state and county gained’t maintain their mounted horses after they die both. We must always honor them the identical manner we honor the canines.”
The primary horses could have their ashes buried within the fall and can embrace Doc and two others from the identical unit, Contact Up and Denver. And just like the service canine, there shall be a ceremony for the riders to attend, a crew of eight “salute” horses, in addition to a memorial wall with photograph etchings of the horses in motion.
