As you enter our museum, you'll see a full-size model of one of Cleveland's Mounted Unit Saddlebred horses, unique to the Cleveland Police Department.
The Cleveland Police Mounted Unit was officially established in 1911, although horses most likely have played a part in the Force since it began in 1866.
The mounted unit began when Police Chief Fred Kohler went to Blot’s Livery and rented 2 horses for the department. Sergeant George Matowitz was picked to lead this new unit.
Although Sergeant Matowitz was the first, his brother James Matowitz is actually credited as being the “Father of the Cleveland Mounted Unit.” James created a Mounted Unit drill team, initiated special uniforms and built the stables on E. 38th Street where the horses are still kept today.
The Cleveland Police Mounted Unit Honors:
- World Champs in Military Mounted Drill 1933
- Marched in President Warren G. Harding's Funeral Procession.
- Inauguration Parades for Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George Bush.
Learn more about the Mounted Unit here: https://www.clevelandpolicemuseum.org/historical/a-century-in-the-saddle-cleveland-mounted-police-unit-has-performed-protected-and-saved-lives/
Captain Timothy Costello is “front and center” in this early Mounted Unit photo, circa 1918.
Patrolmen Robert O’Neill #595 and Julius Gleine #673 at the Mounted Unit with some of the unit’s traditional mascots.
In 1938 the “Finest Police Mounted Unit in the Land” parades down Euclid Avenue.
At this strike at the Anderson Company on March 18, 1947 Patrolman Robert A. “Pappy” Paisley assists in the removal of a strike agitator.
The Cleveland Mounted Police were often deployed to help control labor disputes that got out of hand. The police on horseback were especially effective in identifying agitators and separating them from the crowd.
The Cleveland Mounted Police made their first of several appearances in presidential inaugural parades during the second inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower in January of 1956.
"Hot tot gets chill warning from Police Mounties at Edgewater Park. 'You're no jaybird,' said Patrolman Jim Kennedy. 'You're not allowed to run around the beach nude.' David Brzowski, 2 1/2 years old, of 12506 Iowa Ave, put on a pair of trunks rather than argue weather [sic] or not silly adult laws make sense." --photo caption as published in the Cleveland Press, July 23, 1955. James J. Kennedy #273; Appointed: 05/01/1942; End of Watch: 01/15/1965
The hazards of patrolling an urban environment on horseback are many. Police horse “Tony” escaped from his tether and fell through a grate covering a window well on Euclid Avenue in 1969. The Mounted Unit Veterinarian Dr. Dan Stearns (with glasses), Lieut Ed Troyan, and P.O. Carl Bultrowitz are evident in the background.
