Officer Apollo set to retire Saturday

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Officer Apollo, a beloved member of the Saratoga Springs Police Department, is set to retire on Saturday after eight years serving the community. NEWS10’s Cassie Hudson takes a look back on Officer Apollo’s esteemed career and the future of the mounted division moving forward.

NEWS10 was there in 2017 when the former racehorse joined the mounted division at the Saratoga Springs Police Department. As part of his early community outreach, a local elementary school helped pick his new name.

"Several students come up all the time and they’re like, 'is this Apollo?' and we’re like yeah this is Apollo, 'I helped name him,' so it's really good to see those kids and now adults come up and say that,” said SSPD Officer Aaron Moore.

Officer Apollo's last shift will be the Silks and Satins 5K on Saturday. The department hopes the public will out and help wish him well on his retirement.

The mounted division has some promising new recruits, according to Officer Moore. That includes, Sly, a horse that was rescued by the force earlier this year after falling through an icy pond.