The oldest horse of the New Orleans Police Department’s mounted unit died at 26 years old, July 22, 2024, after spending his life patrolling the city’s streets.
In 2001, the roan, warmblood horse was acquired by the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and served the unit for 20 years before retiring in 2021 due to old age and health issues.
Elvis died before he could return to a farm in Folsom, Louisiana, where horses are sent after retiring from the unit.
“The NOPD, especially the mounted unit, is greatly saddened by the passing of this noble ambassador for our city,” said NOPD public information officer Karen Thompson.
The mounted unit has been an iconic division of NOPD since 1925.
The unit’s horses, which are typically a part of the warmblood breed, are often seen in the French Quarter and come out during the city’s celebratory events and festivals.
As of January, there were 26 horses enrolled in the division, according to NOPD.
The horses must meet specific qualifications to take part in the police department’s nearly century-old tradition.
A horse must present a combination of good temperament and personality to join the team. Once selected, it can take anywhere from a few months to a year for the horse to be fully trained and ready to serve the city.
In 2016, NOPD launched an in-house breeding program to continue its history of quality horses in the unit.
Bystanders are expected to follow a set of rules when the mounted patrol’s horses travel through the streets.
In the past, people have been bitten, including one person who lost a finger, because horses think they are being offered food, said Sergeant Damond Harris.
Parade-goers should always ask mounted officers for permission before petting a horse.
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