Newport Beach Police Share Loss Of Retired Police Horse, Levi

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — The Newport Beach Police Department mourned a fallen officer of the four legged kind, Friday. Though he was retired, Police Horse Levi will be remembered by the department for years to come.

The department shared the news with friends, supporters and followers on Friday over Facebook.

"The NBPD is saddened to report the passing of retired Police Horse Levi.

Levi was a quarter horse and one of the original members of the NBPD Mounted Unit. He began working with his partner – Officer Shawn Dugan – on June 1, 2013.

Levi was a familiar sight at many community events, including National Night Out and Public Safety Day. He loved working around town, greeting children during the Holiday Season at Fashion Island, patrolling the beach on the 4th of July, and greeting the students in our Citizens Academies and Teen Academies. Levi also worked several events outside of Newport Beach as a member of the Orange County Regional Mounted Enforcement Unit, including protests, Angel’s baseball games, the Strawberry Festival, and the Knott’s Berry Farm Halloween Haunt.

Levi was a personable and capable Police Horse. He trained with Officer Dugan every month to maintain his “work skills”, but those close to him also know that he was wonderful with children and was very fond of rolling around in the dirt and grass when he was “off duty” out in the pasture. If you ever met Levi, you may have admired his coloring, or his personality… but few people noticed one of Levi’s most unique features: his unusually small feet.

We are sad that Levi is no longer with us, but we know he lives on in the hearts and memories of all the people – young and old – who got to know him during his four years with the NBPD."

After multiple Facebook condolences, the Department offered the following statement:

"We are so blessed to have the opportunity to form relationships with these animals, and to benefit from their contributions to our Department," they said. "They make us better at what we do... and they touch our hearts. We are so grateful for your support as we remember Levi. Thank you."

Newport Beach Police Department Photo