HARTSVILLE, S.C. (WBTW) — The Hartsville Police Department says its beloved mounted horse, Buddy, died at the age of 24.

Buddy’s career began in 2009 with the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office, where he was flagship member of its mounted unit alongside owner Capt. Kyle Hause.

“The two were unstoppable. Buddy and Hause went on to build the unit from the ground up, adding more equine teams as time passed,” the agency wrote on its Facebook page. “Buddy and Hause traveled to other states, and combined forces with multiple other agencies and helped them create mounted units as well.”

Buddy carried multiple certifications, took home many awards and was a fixture at community events across Darlington County.

But he also was a key member of the police force.

“He searched high and low, and in places that vehicles couldn’t reach. He searched for missing people, including Brittany Drexel. He served proudly at Carrowinds, football games and traveled around many other states,” Hartsville police said on Facebook.

Buddy was also a staple at NASCAR events, where he’d pose for photos and let people pet him.

Buddy retired in 2016 and lived with Hause.

He was “always first to be called upon, and left the most memorable impressions with everyone he came in contact with. He was truly loved,” the agency’s Facebook post said.

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

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