COLUMBUS – The Columbus Division of Police will honor a veteran officer who passed away earlier this month.
The police Mounted Unit will hold an open house Friday at 1:00 p.m. in remembrance of Equine Officer Willie at the unit’s facility at 2609 McKinley Avenue.
The Division of Police Honor Guard will stand guard by Willie’s ashes during a memorial service, the division’s Pipes and Drums will perform in his honor, and Willie’s equine partners and representatives of other area law enforcement agencies will be there.
The 24-year-old Saddlebred horse served in the mounted unit for 11 years with partner Officer John Shoopman and was considered the unit’s strongest horse, police spokeswoman Denise said. She says Willie was popular at community events and acted as a leader to younger horses.
Willie served with CPD for 11 years with his partner Officer John Shoopman — died Jan. 4 after a tumor was found on his colon.
Willie died Jan. 11, a week after he was taken to the OSU Veterinary Medical Center for exploratory surgery after Shoopman believed the horse had developed colic.
The hospital’s medical staff determined it to be a fatty tumor wrapped around his colon, Alex-Bouzounis said.
One week later, 2017 Willie passed away at the age of 24.