Evansville Police Foundation Acquired New Mounted Unit Horse

The Evansville Police Department added a new horse named Midnight to its mounted patrol unit this week.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Large Animals

Screen-print poster illustration of a leather saddle in a rustic stable, evoking municipal community heritage in Evansville.
The Evansville Police Foundation acquired a new horse for the department's mounted patrol unit with funding provided by the West Side Nut Club. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Evansville Police Foundation has purchased a new horse to join the Evansville Police Department's Mounted Patrol Unit. Funding for the animal was provided by the West Side Nut Club.

Why it matters

The addition of a new horse allows the Evansville Police Department to maintain the operational capacity of its mounted unit for community patrols and events. This purchase highlights the role of local civic partnerships in supporting specialized municipal law enforcement resources.

The new horse, Midnight, was purchased through funds provided by the West Side Nut Club. The animal will officially join the Evansville Police Department's Mounted Patrol Unit following an upcoming public introduction.

The players

Evansville Police Department

This is the primary law enforcement agency serving the city of Evansville, Indiana, which maintains a specialized mounted unit for crowd control and community engagement.

West Side Nut Club

This is a local civic organization based in Evansville that provides funding for various community projects and public service initiatives.

Evansville Police Foundation

This is a non-profit entity that provides financial support and resources to the city police department for programs not covered by the standard municipal budget.

The details

The West Side Nut Club financed the acquisition to support the department's equestrian operations in Evansville. The horse is currently being integrated into the unit ahead of a formal public appearance.

Timeline

  1. October 5, 2026: Press conference to introduce Midnight

Culture Shift

The use of mounted units remains a staple in urban policing, reflecting a continued reliance on traditional equestrian patrolling methods despite the rise of modern surveillance technology. This move emphasizes how police departments often lean on local community partnerships to preserve specialized, non-digital assets.

Residents can expect to see the new horse, Midnight, during public appearances and city events once the unit integration is complete. This update represents a tangible investment in the department's ability to maintain a presence at local community gatherings.

The takeaway

Maintaining a mounted patrol unit requires significant support from local organizations like the West Side Nut Club. Residents interested in public safety resources can look for these types of private-public partnerships to understand how city services are sustained.

What happens next

The Evansville Police Department and the West Side Nut Club will hold a press conference to introduce Midnight to the public on October 5, 2026.

Further reading

Learn more about local animal initiatives in the Large Animals section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WTVW 7 Evansville.

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