DECATUR, Ala. — Morgan County Sheriff’s Posse, recipient of FOX54 and TEGNA Foundation grant, held a mini rodeo for about 250 school-aged kids on May 3rd. The event, held on the organization’s grounds, provided pony rides, pizza, and a chance to interact with the mounted posse.
The Morgan County Sheriff’s Posse has been around since 1963 and its main project is its yearly special needs rodeo, which started in 2009. The posse is the main fundraising and public relations arm of the sheriff’s office and makes itself available for all forms of support. “You have no idea what this $5000 grant means to this heart felt project.” Tom Williams, Sgt of Arms, Mounted Count Posse, said.
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The Morgan County Sheriff' Posse, has been around since October 5, 1963. It was organized by then Sheriff Knox Lonzo McRae. The posse has many functions but the first and main project is the annual Special Needs rodeo (SNR). The very first SNR was organized by Sheriff Greg Bartlett in 2009 at the Posse's outdoor arena and hosted about 300. A much-needed move to the covered arena in 2013 saw a sharp increase in popularity and attendance, as we now prepare to provide for the 1600 plus special needs kids and adults in our service area.
The Posse is the main fund raising and public relations arm for the sheriff's office and makes itself available for all forms of support. Currently there are 30 full time active members in the Morgan County Sheriff's Posse, aged from 16 to 73. A number of those members are considered the mounted part of the Posse. The mounted Posse can be called on anytime by the sheriff to aid in search and rescue or to be at the front of the line in a Christmas Parade.
The Posse operates out of a 20-acre facility on Vest Road in Hartselle, AL, where they meet on a monthly basis. The Posse grounds comes complete with a full outdoor rodeo arena and a modern concession facility, with acres of parking and camp sites available.
Each year the posse hosts events and fundraisers, that include everything from birthday parties; family reunions; campouts; cooking contests; rodeos, tractor pulls; bull riding and turkey shoots in the fall.
They also host equestrian safety training year-round.
