Joplin Police Chief Joins Mounted Sheriff's Squad | KSNF/KODE

CARTHAGE, Mo. — A local law enforcement group that some people may not be very familiar with has a new member.

Joplin Police Chief Dr. Richard Pearson is now one of ten people who make up the Jasper County Mounted Sheriff's Posse.

In fact, he joined the group a few months ago after hearing about it from Jasper County Sheriff Randee Kaiser.

He said he had been riding horses for a few years and was looking for a way to get back into it.

The Mounted Sheriff's Posse assists law enforcement in searches and rescues, and volunteers at local parades and Civil War reenactments.

“My plan is to serve in whatever capacity the colonel here needs me. I am a team player and the newest member of the team, so I will do whatever is expected of me. If we are called to participate in research, I will be there in the middle of the action. If we are called to participate in ceremonial duties, like a parade or something like that, I will be there,” said Chief Pearson.

“We look for almost everything we look for. If you're wearing a red shirt like you're wearing now, we'll look for a red shirt in the water, in the trees. We'll look for any sign we can find. If we can find you. And we've seen good, good and bad turnouts,” said Col. Millard Ram of the Jasper County Sheriff's Mounted Detachment.

The group will add another new member next week.

Their next event is the annual 4th of July parade Thursday morning (7/4) on Main Street in Carl Junction. It starts at 10:00 a.m.