A 21-year-old horse from the LAPD's Mounted Unit is retiring to take part in equine therapy for struggling first-responders.
During his time with the department, Duke has worked various assignments from Los Angeles Dodgers games to the Martin Luther King Parade.
LAPD Officer Eric Coffey, who rode Duke for many years, says "This is the sports car of horses."
Eric Rivas is with First Responders First which has a ranch in Lake Hughes where Duke will spend his retirement years.
"He's going to continue serving the law enforcement community by helping those of our brothers and sisters that have had trouble with substance abuse, PTSD and the other underlying factors that create mental trauma," he says.
He says their program is exclusively for first responders to help them get over the challenges that they have endured over their careers.
Happy retirement, Duke! The LAPD Mounted Unit will be retiring Duke, a 21-year-old horse who has been with the Mounted Unit since 2013. Duke will be retiring to First Responders First (FRF) Ranch.
— KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO (@KNX1070) June 4, 2021
Video: Margaret Carrero KNX 1070 pic.twitter.com/2sEqI0QaER




