The Grimes County Sheriff’s Office Junior Deputy Mounted Posse is a non-profit organization, for youth ages 6-19, created to promote and encourage horsemanship, leadership and citizenship. The Posse is an equine drill team, which serves the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office as representatives and goodwill ambassadors to the citizens of Grimes County, Texas.
The Junior Deputies ride full-size horses in completion of their duties. They learn reverence for God and Country, responsibility, teamwork, sportsmanship and parliamentary procedures. The Posse performs in Grimes County parades, rodeos and community events. Additionally, they serve as ambassadors to the Grimes County Go-Texan Committee.
The Posse also participates in the annual Pony Express Ride, where they join the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Junior Mounted Posse and ride into the Grimes County Fairgrounds to co-present a proclamation to county officials.
The Grimes County Sheriff’s Office Junior Deputy Mounted Posse was founded in 2003, under Sheriff Don Sowell. Sheriff Sowell was affiliated for many years with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Junior Mounted Posse during his tenure as a HCSO Deputy Sheriff and believed a similar program would benefit Grimes County youth.
Sonya Floyd was chosen as the first Coordinator for the Posse and with her assistance the program was launched. Mrs. Floyd continues to serve as Coordinator and provide direction for the program. Doug Farquhar is the Drill Master and he oversees drill training. Today, the Posse is a valued part of the Grimes County landscape, providing local youth with a fun and educational opportunity to contribute to their community.
The first GCSO Junior Deputy Mounted Posse in 2003 Front Row: Cody Wright, D'Lynn Sechelski, Jared Wetuski, Cody Harman, Nickayla Floyd, Emily Hibner, Rebecca Barling, Blake Maldanado, Lori Elridge, Haley Douget, Safety Instructor Anthony Sechelski, and Drill Master Nick Falco Jr. Back Row: Assistant Drill Master Mike Wetuski, Justin Brookes, Ashleigh Sowell, Vice President Skylar Harsh, Nikki Hale, Brooke Maldanado, Sharon Barkman, Sheryl Cox, Junior Drill Master Ethan Floyd, Sheriff Don Sowell and Coordinator Sonya Floyd.
In past years, the Posse has been invited to perform in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade. Chuck Norris, along with his wife Gina, also asked the Posse to perform at the Kick Start rodeo event they sponsored in 2010.
The GCSO Junior Deputy Mounted Posse poses with Chuck and Gina Norris at their 2010 Kick Start event Front Row: Cheyenne Richards, Timber Thomas, Jade Silva-Trujillo, Jake Dehaven, Kyla Dehaven and Samantha Roesler. Back Row: Assistant Drill Master Lane Dehaven, Rheaghan Pavlock, Clayton Holiday, Chuck Norris, Gina Norris, Pete Catalena, Randi Farquhar, Ethan Farquhar, Nickayla Floyd, Emily Hibner, Connor Lara, Drill Master Doug Farquhar and Coordinator Sonya Floyd.
We would love for you to join us! The Posse has an established and successful history of combining equine sports with community service. The Posse is as much as family activity as a team sport and a great way for the whole family to spend time together. The Posse also encourages fellowship with other families with a love of horses and the outdoors- and you’ll have a ton of fun doing it!
Sheriff Sowell swears in the 2009 Mascots Pictured: Cecilia Ann Gurka, Sheriff Don Sowell, Kynlee Stephens, Coordinator Sonya Floyd and Drill Master Mike Wetuski.
Junior Deputies perform the Reading of Proclamations at the 2010 Go-Texan event Pictured: County Judge Betty Shiflett, Mascot Kynlee Stephens, Justice of the Peace Joe Imhoff, Vice President Nickayla Floyd and Secretary Holly Barefield
