WoodmenLife Helps Expand Ranks of OPD Mounted Patrol

WoodmenLife is reinforcing its commitment to its hometown with a donation of $15,000 to the Omaha Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit.

The donation will be used to buy and train three much-needed new horses.

These special animals not only patrol large events with high foot traffic, but also serve as ambassadors of sorts. They help strengthen a bond between the public and the police force.

The OPD Mounted Patrol gave WoodmenLife the honor of naming the incoming cadet. Associates submitted more than 130 names. The list was narrowed by executives to seven finalists, and the broader WoodmenLife family was invited to vote on Facebook. The name “Blue” came out victorious.

Omaha Police Sgt. Joe Svacina is the Mounted Patrol Unit Commander. He said this has been a unique and rewarding experience.

“I would like to share my appreciation of this extraordinary partnership with our corporate neighbor WoodmenLife,” Svacina said. “‘Blue’ is a most fitting and noble name for a police horse, and I look forward to his contribution to our unit and the citizens of Omaha.”

This donation follows a successful partnership between WoodmenLife and Nashville, TN, which hosted the organization’s National Convention this summer. With WoodmenLife funding, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department’s Mounted Patrol is adding three horses to its ranks. The first, a 7-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse, was named Orozco, in honor of Omaha Police Department Gang Detective Kerrie Orozco. She was killed in the line of duty in 2015.

WoodmenLife will follow Blue’s journey from pastures to Omaha streets. Join us as we do that on WoodmenLife’s Corporate Blog.

About WoodmenLife

WoodmenLife was founded in 1890 as a not-for-profit. The organization gives back to its members across the country, who join together in a shared commitment to family, community and country. With a legacy of financial stability, WoodmenLife offers quality life insurance and retirement products. A person becomes a member when they purchase a WoodmenLife product. Members have access to many extras they can use now. To learn more about the organization, visit newsroom.WoodmenLife.org.