El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal is saddened to announce the passing of Major Bradley, a long-time beloved equine member of our Mounted Unit.

This morning, during a routine barn check, a member of our Mounted Unit noticed Major Bradley was experiencing severe swelling and lameness in one of his front legs and immediately called for veterinary care.

A local veterinarian responded to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit Barn and examined Major Bradley. After a thorough review of his symptoms, x-rays, and testing, the veterinarian confirmed he had severely fractured his leg.

After consultation with the veterinarian, the difficult decision was made by Sheriff Roybal and our Mounted Unit leadership to end Major Bradley’s pain and suffering and humanely euthanize him.

“I am saddened to announce the passing of Major Bradley and mourn with our Mounted Unit and community,” said Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “Major Bradley was a Sheriff’s Office staple, the equine leader of our Mounted Unit team, always dependable, determined, and ready to work. You could always find him at a community event where hundreds of families enjoyed learning about our Mounted Unit and engaging with our deputies and their equine partners. Major Bradley will be dearly missed, and his absence will be greatly noticed as we continue our mission of serving and protecting our citizens.”

Major Bradley, a 24-year-old Quarter Horse, had served the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office since March 2008 and recently retired from official duty in January 2025. He participated in countless parades, presidential details, advanced training and schools, rescue operations, and searches, including work on the Gannon Stauch case.

One highlight of his career was participating in the 2008 Democratic National Convention, where he helped quell many civil disobedience/riot situations.

Major Bradley served the citizens of the Pikes Peak region honorably for almost 18 years.

Since joining the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit, Major Bradley exemplified every attribute of being a police horse, and his demeanor has been used as an example for other agencies throughout the Pikes Peak region.