Caledonia Argus

Peterson named posse member of the year

Posted: 6/1/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

Louie Peterson, Caledonia, has been given the Houston County Sheriffís Posse Member of the Year award.

Peterson, 52, was picked by the Houston County Sheriffís Posse board for his time, effort, and availability with the group. Heís been a member since the group was formed about eight years ago.

The posse is used for things like search and rescue, disasters, and guarding crime scenes, Sheriff Mike Lee said. ìTheyíve saved the county thousands of dollars in overtime if weíd have had to have deputies come in.î

They also assist in water patrol on the Mississippi River, because that job takes two people.

Posse members use ATVs, horses, and their own two legs to help when needed. ìWe can pretty much go in any weather,î Peterson said. Their role is to do jobs that deputies would normally have to do, like traffic control at an accident scene, he added. All cities in the county are represented in the group.

About 20 posse members have pagers, and are summoned that way. There are about 40 total posse members. When called, they meet at a pre-arranged spot and sign in, then go out in groups of two for safety reasons. They carry survival kits that have things like compasses, rope, matches, and whistles.

They donít have any police authority, Peterson said, and do not carry weapons.

Last year was a slow year, for the posse, with only one call. ìThat was good,î Peterson said. ìThe more you do, the more trouble youíve got.î

They did hold a mock accident drill in which a father faked a fall out of a tree stand, and his son ran his four-wheeler off the trail while trying to get help. It was a very effective and helpful exercise, Peterson said.

Another training session in which posse members will practice dragging the river for a body will take place on June 19 at Wildcat park in Brownsville.

Peterson, who works for Marvís Auto Body Shop in Spring Grove, is pleased and honored to have received the award. He said he was never on the Lions, fire department, or Jaycees. ìThis is a way of me giving back to the community,î he said.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the posse can call the sheriffís office at 725-3379.

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