Merced County Sheriff’s Posse to participate in Trump’s Presidential Inauguration Parade

The Merced County Sheriff’s Office announced that the Merced County Sheriff’s Posse is planning to attend and participate in the Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington D.C. on Jan. 20.

Merced County Sheriff Sgt. Michael Domingue said the group is looking to raise about $100,000 to cover travel and lodging expenses for about 30 people including posse members and transport personnel, as well as transporting about 12 horses for the roughly five-day trailer trip to Washington D.C..

The horses will be traveling in a specially designed trailers that will provide the smoothest ride and least amount of stress for the animals, Domingue said. Transportation of the horses alone is expected to cost roughly $70,000.

Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke along with the Sheriff’s Posse, will represent the residents of Merced County, and also the Central Valley sheriffs from San Joaquin to Kern counties, according to a sheriff’s office news release. The posse will also display flags representing the Central Valley Sheriff’s Officers during the parade.

Established in 1948 and serving as a “Goodwill Ambassador” for the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, the Merced County Sheriff’s Posse consists of various community members and participates in community public relations events and marketing for the sheriff’s office.

This will mark the fourth time the group has participated in a presidential inauguration parade and the fifth time they have participated in an event in Washington D.C., the sheriff’s office said.

A GoFundMe account has been created for those who wish to donate.

Domingue said that regardless of who the president is, the sheriff’s office and Sheriff Warnke feel it’s an amazing event to be part of to not only celebrate the presidency, but also the rights of citizens and the right to vote.

The Merced County Sheriff’s Posse previously took part in events in Washington D.C. for President Donald Trump’s first inauguration, as well as inaugural events for President George W. Bush, President Richard Nixon and a centennial parade.