The Apache County
Sheriff's Posse
Welcome to the Official Home Page of the Apache
County Sheriff's Posse!
The Apache County Sheriff's Posse was formed approximately 35 years ago
by the then Sheriff to help with searches for persons lost or missing in Apache
County. The Posse is composed of citizen volunteers specially trained or
skilled in the area of Search & Rescue Operations. Since it's inception,
the Posse has assisted in the rescue of skiers, hikers, boaters and others
whose circumstances have become dire.
Serving at the pleasure of the
Apache County Sheriff, the Posse is on-call for assistance at elevations
ranging from 5,000 to 10,000+ feet in all kinds of weather. Personnel are
trained in Search and Rescue Techniques and certified for the variety of
searches that may occur. Volunteers provide their own horses, equipment and
transportation. The Posse is strictly a non-profit organization. Member's
expertise include Search & Rescue via horseback, foot, scuba diving,
tracking, and skiing.
Committed to the
citizens of Apache County, Posse members participate in fund-raising activities
throughout the year. The Posse's major focus is the Annual Round Valley Rodeo.
The proceeds of this GPCRA sanctioned event are utilized to acquire, maintain
or modernize equipment, provide training or fund community projects, as well as
fund Rodeo expenses for the following year's event. As an example, the Posse
was able to purchase a snowcat and boat that is utilized in search or rescue
efforts when required. Additionally, the Posse donates (2) educational
scholarships each year to students whose academic levels meet the criteria for
the award. One scholarship is provided to a Round Valley student and the other
to a St. Johns student. Posse supports or assists in funding local 4-H clubs
and other organizations that may apply for assistance!
The Apache County Sheriff's Posse sponsors the traditional Annual Round
Valley Rodeo, The Rodeo began in 1912 and has been a continuous event in the
area since. Its original location was by the mill in Eagar, Arizona. Wagons
were used for fences until a new location was found in 1942 which was known as
the "Rock Pile." The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints originally
sanctioned the Rodeo, however in 1960 the project was adopted by the Apache
County Sheriff's Posse.
The Apache County Sheriff's Posse currently has 42 volunteer members.
Member teams are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Presently, the Captain
of the Posse is Tuffy Slade who has been a member since 1956. The Posse is
structured in an para-military style to insure accountability and order while
assisting the Apache County Sheriff when called upon. Qualifications for
membership include:
- An applicant must sponsored by a current member in good standing
- Completion of an application and interview.
- Successfully pass an background investigation.
- Submit to an FBI fingerprint check.
Thank you for visiting our Home Page! If you would be interested in
becoming a member of the Apache County Sheriff's Posse or in donating funds
toward any of our projects, please feel free to contact us at the following
address:
Apache County Sheriff's Posse
P.O. Box 1168
Springerville, Arizona 85938