Deputy Sheriff Ghost passed away from colic

This morning I received a call from the vet who was taking care of Ghost. He told me that Ghost had colicked again at 6am.. I made the decision to take him to the Littleton Equine vet that is renowned for their care. I raced to the barn in Brighton and reattached my little trailer. When I walked back to the stall he’d been in, he wasn’t there. As I walked outside behind the barn, I saw the vet with a lead rope running down to Ghost, laying on his side. It was a sight of pure dread. I could see by the vets expression that he thought it was bleak. He didn’t have to say much. I reached down and gently placed my hand on Ghost’s jaw and said “come on, Buddy.. get up..” He immediately sprang to his feet and walked himself to his trailer. It’s one of many moments that define Ghost’s character: In a word, Ghost was courageous. I tell the kids all the time: Bravery is not the absence of fear.. It’s being afraid and doing it anyway. There is no doubt that Ghost felt fearful, but he always pressed on and did whatever I asked of him. As someone who has always been full of anxieties, I admired him more than I can say. I did my best to earn his trust and respect by trying to be like him. I’m not sure if I ever accomplished it, but he did seem to love me when I showed up to take care of him. He absolutely adored Evelyn more than anything.

With the help of my fellow mounted unit officers, I raced him to emergency surgery. He tried very hard to be strong, but could barely stand by the time I got him there. Unfortunately, there wasn’t anything they could do as he was just too far gone…

They were gracious enough to let me say goodbye to him. I placed my hand on his nose where I’d always greeted him, and told him I was sorry.. That I’d tried my best to help him but failed. I reassured him that he was a great horse and deputy sheriff. We will all miss him dearly.

It’s one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do. I only had him for 7 months, but oh my how he changed my life in that short span of time..

With vet bills and the desire to eventually add a new addition to the department its just not affordable as officers are responsible to cover all cost related to the animals.