The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit was founded in 1958 and originally operated almost entirely as a volunteer unit under the supervision of a Patrol Sergeant. One of its primary services was providing first aid through a Mounted Unit rescue vehicle, a service documented at the Young Road Academy. The unit offered emergency medical assistance and transportation at horse shows, rodeos, and other sporting events throughout Franklin County, and was available for deployment during natural disasters.
To support its operations, the Mounted Unit hosted an annual AHSA Points Horse Show at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, raising funds to maintain and replace its rescue vehicle. However, as state requirements began mandating that all squad personnel be EMT-certified, the rescue vehicle was eventually phased out through attrition.
Throughout its history, the Mounted Unit has trained extensively in crowd and riot control, including the use of smoke, gas, canines, and live fire while mounted. Deputies supported missing persons searches, evidence recovery operations, and anti-drug initiatives alongside K9 units in county schools. They proudly carried the Colors in numerous parades, often serving as lead escorts at major events such as the opening day of Scioto Downs. Mounted Deputies were also deployed at large-scale events, including local marathons, concerts, and demonstrations, such as the historic anti-nuclear energy protest in Moscow, Ohio, which was the largest of its kind at the time. Collaboration with other mounted units was limited to major operations, although FCSO provided expertise to help establish the Columbus Police Department’s Mounted Unit.
Today, the Mounted Unit remains a highly visible community engagement tool. Still largely volunteer-based, deputies supply their own horses, trucks, and trailers for transportation to and from events. Staffed by full-time deputies within the Support Services Unit, the Mounted Unit continues to train for crowd and riot control, vehicle and personnel rescues, and operates with smoke, gas, canines, and live fire using submunitions or blanks. Recently, the unit implemented a two-week basic and advanced mounted training course designed to strengthen and expand the team.
Modern operations include providing a visible presence at Ohio State University football games, assisting Columbus Police with citywide protests, attending community events at Metro Parks, high school football games, parades, and ceremonial functions such as funerals. Wherever requested, the FCSO Mounted Unit continues to serve as a trusted and respected symbol of law enforcement in Franklin County.