unheralded hero

police horse little reb

Death Classification: Line of Duty Death


Agency: Detroit Police Department


Rank: Police Horse


Badge:  Unknown


Served: Two Months


Unit of Assignment / Detail: Mounted Section


Location of Incident (Present Day): Front of 5959 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan


Cause of Death: Accidental - Struck By Bus


Age at Time of Death: Approximately Three Years Old

Timeline


Date of Birth: Unknown

Date of Appointment: Unknown

Date of Incident: 14 July 1966

End of Watch: 14 July 1966

Date of Interment: Unknown

Unheralded Hero Investigation Began: January 2018

Accepted By Agency: N/A

Approved By National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial: N/A

 

Interment Details


 Cemetery: Unknown
 Grave Location: Unknown
 Interment Disposition: Unknown

 

Memorial Details


National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Not Listed

Officer Down Memorial Page: Not Listed

Memorial at the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum: Not Listed

Michigan Law Enforcement Officers Memorial: Not Listed

Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial: Not Listed

Wayne County First Responders Memorial: Not Listed

Detroit Police Department Memorial: Not Listed

 

Incident & Biographic Details


On July 16, 1966 Detroit Mounted Policeman Edward Wortman and Police Horse Little Reb were struck by a city bus. They were on patrol southbound Woodward near Harper. The impact knocked them to the ground. Little Reb rose to his feet, but collapsed. He tried to get to his feet several more times but was held down by officers. The three-year-old Chestnut died while waiting for a veterinarian to arrive. Little Reb had patrolled city streets for just two months at the time of his death.