A member of the Baltimore Police Department's Mounted Unit, and his horse, will be honored at the 60th Washington International Horse show Friday evening, the Baltimore Police Department said.
Sergeant Russell Robar and his horse, Big D, will receive the 6th annual Klinger Award which recognizes a horse, individual, or organization that best demonstrates the values of honor and service as embodied by the horse for which the award was named, Klinger.
Big D and Sgt. Robar earned the honor for their continuous service working in more than 170 Baltimore communities, the department said. The two participate in youth outreach and educational programs, showing the value of serving in the line of duty.
For winning the award, Robar can select an equine charity to receive a $750 grant, matched with an additional $750 grant from the Stephens family, who bestowed the Klinger Award. The money will go to the First Mile Stable Charitable Foundation, who are building a new $2.5 million home for the Baltimore City Mounted Police Unit at the B&0 Railroad Museum on the Jones Falls Expressway.
“We would like to thank the EQUUS Foundation and the Stephens Family for selecting our Mounted Unit to receive the Klinger Award," said Gary Tuggle, Interim Police Commissioner. "The Baltimore Police Department is proud to have the oldest continuously operated Mounted Unit in the country. Throughout the year, our Mounted Unit can be seen at parades, festivals, and on patrol in neighborhoods across the city.”
