On Friday February 22nd, 2008, Ta Wana Win, a white former show horse, better known as TW, passed away and left this earth for Fiddler’s Green to join many other Police Horses and Mounted Police Officers who have passed before him.
TW was born on March 7th, 1976 in Sepulveda California. He was registered as an American Quarter Horse, and also had some Thoroughbred in his background. After a short time as a show horse, showing in Western Pleasure classes, TW was donated to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. He became an official member of the Mounted Enforcement Unit on July 30, 1980.
During his years of service, TW was seen patrolling beaches and parks, working the Orange County Fair, patrolling mall parking lots during Holiday Season, providing security for several U.S. Presidents, assisting with directed enforcement in many communities served by the Sheriff’s Department and countless other assignments too numerous to mention.
Besides working enforcement details, Police Horses are valuable public relations ambassadors for law enforcement agencies. TW was one of those great ambassadors for the Sheriff’s Department. The big dapple grey horse turned many heads and brought smiles to the faces of the many that saw and were able to touch him. TW was a partner to several deputies, but his long term partner was Deputy Gary Shields. They were quite an awesome sight as they performed their many duties. One of the most memorable public relations moments was when TW made a visit to Orangewood Children’s Home. Sitting astride his back was Deputy Shields dressed as Santa Claus. What a big hit they were! They made Christmas a whole lot better and memorable for children who were in unfortunate circumstances.
TW will be missed, but his contributions to the Sheriff’s Department and the people of Orange County go way beyond the many assignments he worked and the thousands of hours he spent in service. No doubt TW’s photograph appears in the photo albums of many families and he will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew him.
-Vicki Coonradt, retired Sergeant OCSD. 25+ year member of the MEU.
Here's a nice piece from the Register on the MEU as well.