Last prance: Horse named for Officer Michael Califano retires
Seven years ago Jackie Califano lost her husband, Nassau Police Officer Mike Califano, in the line of duty.
On Monday, she experienced another loss as she said goodbye to the service horse named in her husband's honor.
The teary-eyed widow, of Wantagh, and her family were joined by a dozen police officers, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Police Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder at a retirement ceremony in Eisenhower Park's mounted unit stable in East Meadow.
“It feels like another loss, you know?” said Califano.
“Mike,” the black Percheron-quarter horse mix posed for photos, took in the pomp-and-circumstance atmosphere and even seemed to strut a bit as officers gave their final salute.
"I’m so glad that the Califano family has joined us in this very beautiful and moving ceremony," said Curran.
Michael Califano died when truck driver John Kaley fell asleep at the wheel and crashed his tow truck into a Nassau police car parked on the Long Island Expressway. Three months later the horse was acquired from Wayne Farms in Huntington and named "Mike" to honor Califano.
Mike, who is named after Police Officer Michael Califano, who was killed in the line of duty, gets an escort from Police Officer Patrick Pierson, right, and a greeting by Jackie Califano, left, as he is retired on Monday in East Meadow. Credit: Howard Schnapp
The horse made appearances at annual fundraisers held in honor of the fallen officer. Califano said she will miss the horse standing outside of the entrance of Maria Regina R.C. Church School in Seaford as people trailed in to honor her husband during the annual fundraiser.
“It was such an honor when we found out it was supposed to be named after him,” she said, wiping away tears. “It’s tough to see him go.”
The 22-year-old horse was partnered with Officer Patrick Pierson during his six-year stay with the department. The lead horse was assigned to presidential debates in 2012 and 2016, Oyster Fest, funerals, President Donald Trump rallies and hundreds of details protecting the public, officials said.
“This horse was named after one of ours that made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Commissioner Patrick Ryder. “We must always remember those.”
Mike, a 22-year-old horse, who spent his career partnered with Police Officer Patrick Pierson, is saluted by members of the mounted unit and members of the Califano family as he is retired on Monday in East Meadow. Credit: Howard Schnapp
The department has five other horses, boats and vehicles named after officers who have died in the line of duty.
"Mike" is the first equine retiree named for a fallen officer. A Long Island family will adopt the horse following Monday’s ceremony.
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Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
