122611 Law enforcement community remembers Deputy #535
By Sharon Haught
December 16, 2011
328
Summary: A very special law enforcement officer was laid to rest on Dec. 2.
While every deputy in the Wayne County Sheriffs Reserve has a special role to play, no other deputys role was more unique than that of Deputy #535.
That was the unit number assigned to a very special 23 year old American Saddlebred horse known as Fred.
After months of intense training, his partner Wayne County Sheriffs Reserve Deputy Michele Lemley looked on with pride as Fred became the only law enforcement sworn horse in the history of Wayne County on Sept. 6, 2008 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds.
As Freds hoof was inked and his signature affixed to the necessary paperwork Fred and Lemley embarked on a remarkable career of public service.
In the three years that followed the charismatic Fred became a beloved member of the law enforcement community.
He was a character, said Lemley adding I think everyone has a story about something Fred did.
While most horses favor standard horse treats like carrots and sugar cubes, Freds favorite was a bit unconventional.
Fred never found a donut he didnt like, just like a good cop, joked Wayne County Sheriff Tom Maurer.
It had to be a Lerchs powdered sugar donut, said Lemley adding everybody knew Fred for his donuts.
After assisting with parking duty at the fair, Fred could often be found in the barn area right near the Lerchs donut trailer.
He liked them warm right out of the box, joked Lemley adding he liked your typical horse treats too but boy hed do anything for a Lerchs donut.
Fred also appreciated a good concert.
According to Lemley when Fred worked security at the grandstands he liked to stand there and watch the concerts.
And even with all the distractions, Fred never moved a muscle.
He would stand there for hours almost at attention - such a figure for the community to see, said Maurer.
Fred loved to be the center of attention, be it at the fair, in parades or at the Reserves County Western Show.
Fred loved having his picture taken, said Lemley adding he knew when there was a camera around and would pose for pictures.
According to Maurer Fred also had a flair for children.
You could put kids everywhere around him and he would not move a muscle. He would put his head down in a stroller so they could pet his nose. He loved kids, said Lemley.
According to Lemley, who trained and cared for Fred at her own expense and volunteers her time, Fred never really thought he was a horse but more a member of the law enforcement team.
After parades when the other members of the Reserves hopped in their cars he would actually get really upset that everyone had left him behind, said Lemley adding he knew that was his group, that was his unit.
That sense of duty came in to play when Fred and Lemley were asked to help search for a missing person.
Though Fred preferred pavement to trails, the pair were called to Spangler Park. Along with 26 mounted units from around the state, Fred and Lemley made their way through the rugged terrain and deep ravines in what Lemley described as some of the toughest riding she had done during her 32 years on horseback.
Fred was outstanding through the whole thing, said Lemley.
Trust like that isnt easily won between horse and rider but Fred and Lemley developed that kind of relationship during their decade together.
On Dec. 2 Lemley had to make the difficult decision to put Fred down when complications from previous surgery to remove a cancerous tumor prevented surgery on a second non-cancerous tumor.
While no horse can ever replace Fred, Lemley is now training a three year old Paint Horse she rescued at six months of age named Pete.
Lemley describes Pete as very quiet and laid back - not as charismatic as Fred by any means. He likes being a horse.
