Texas Border Business
On Thursday, April 1, 2021, Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol hosted a graduation ceremony for two Border Patrol Agents and four Pharr Police Department (PD) Officers who completed a joint-agency horse patrol certification. Class 20 is the second multi-agency class hosted by Rio Grande Valley Sector. The collaboration is monumental for the Pharr Police Department. These four officers are the first to be Nationally Horse Patrol Certified, since the creation of the Pharr Police Department in the early 1900’s.
Agents and officers endured a rigorous 4-week training program to successfully complete the certification course. The six graduates spent numerous hours in the classroom learning first-aid, feeding, housing, trailering, and how to properly care for the horses. As they advanced to on-the-job training, the group received instruction regarding field/river patrol, sign-cutting, riot/crowd control, and various job-related duties. The time spent with the horses allowed agents and officers to build a solid foundation and better understand the horse’s capabilities and limitations.
RGV Chief Patrol Agent Brian S. Hastings welcomed the group and spoke highly of the joint collaboration certification. The newly certified riders were commended on the completion of the rigorous training.
Pharr City Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez also commended the graduates and relayed how he was ecstatic to see the completion of the highly anticipated endeavor. Pharr PD’s horse patrol unit was two years in the making according to city officials.
Pharr Police Chief Andy Harvey commented on how proud he was of the newly certified horse patrol agents and officers. He looked forward to having the impressive riders and horses patrolling the streets and community of Pharr, Texas. He added that horse patrol unit will also participate at ceremonies and city functions. “Our new Pharr PD Mounted Unit will be very visible in our city. Our officers will be patrolling our neighborhoods and at many of our city events. I can’t wait for our community to meet them.” stated Pharr Police Chief Andy Harvey. Harvey went on to say, “We can’t thank our Border Patrol enough for training our officers. We are blessed to have a great relationship with our federal partners.”
The family and friends of the graduates also appeared delighted and proud. They were all smiles as they took pictures standing with their graduate and horse.
Please join us in recognizing and honoring the graduates and instructors of National Horse Patrol Certification – Class 20.
- BPA Manuel Garza Harlingen Border Patrol Station
- BPA Danny De La Rosa Brownsville Border Patrol Station
- SGT Max Longoria Pharr Police Department
- Officer Gabriel Lopez Pharr Police Department
- Officer Luis Cardoza Pharr Police Department
- Officer Irving Segura Pharr Police Department
 Border Patrol hosted a graduation ceremony for two Border Patrol Agents and four Pharr Police Department (PD) Officers who completed a joint-agency horse patrol certification.){kind=link}