After 18 years of service, including appearances at high-profile events such as the G20 Summit and St. Patrick's Day parades, Henry, the Allegheny County police horse, is retiring. Part of the Allegheny County Police Department's Mounted Patrol Unit, Henry has been with the force since 2007, dedicating nearly two decades to community engagement and law enforcement efforts. The 23-year-old Belgian quarter horse cross first came to the unit as a donation from Dayle Kendall of Swissvale and lived at the Allegheny County Police Stables in South Park, according to TribLIVE.
Henry’s retirement ceremony united past riders, police officers, and community members to honor his long-standing service. The event was held on Corrigan Drive at the police stables and was followed by Henry's departure to his new retirement home at Round Hill Park, as reported by WTAE.
Horses like Henry are integral to mounted units, often capable of doing the work of several officers when it comes to crowd control and public safety operations. The Allegheny County Police Department's unit is steeped in history, dating back to 1932 and originally established by veterans of the U.S. Cavalry from World War I. These mounted units have since been a fixture in the region, serving at protests, political rallies, and numerous community events. Henry himself overcame skin cancer in 2011 after a local veterinarian performed an experimental procedure that saved his eye and has kept the beloved horse in remission.
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