Posse History

The Posse was started in 1964 by Sheriff Cliff Porter to aid in public relations between the Sheriff's Department and the community. At that time, the Posse's main function was to participate in parades and each member of the Posse was required to have a horse. The Posse started with 6 charter members and eventually grew to 18.

The Posse in 1964

Shiawassee County Sheriff's Posse in 1964

From left to right:
William Weidman, James Butcher, James Steadman, Ray Hood, Bill Robbins, James Fink, Robert Buckley, Ray Walker, Floyd Hoose, Kurt Porter, Al Bently Jr
Standing:
Sheriff Cliff Porter and Charles Swearengin

Sheriffs of the Posse

Changes to the Posse

In 1972 the Posse had a queen. Jean Weldman, who at the time was 18 years old, also competed for Pony Express Day queen shortly after being crowned Posse Queen. The horse show raised money for a family whose son had muscular dystrophy. She also rode on parade with the Posse that summer and presided over their annual horse show in September. This, however, would be the one and only year there was a Posse Queen.

In 1988, when the Sheriff of Shiawassee County was A.J. Lajoye, the requirement for Posse members to own a horse was removed. Parades, however, remained a very important part of the posse, as they are today. Pictured below is one of the first parades the newly formed posse was involved in.

Shiawassee County Sheriff's Posse on Parade