PCSO Mounted Unit receives $20,000 donation

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that Chandler Warden has presented Sheriff Paul Babeu with a $20,000 check to assist with the PCSO Mounted Unit. 

Warden is the grandson of Bert W. Martin, a successful businessman known by many for constantly giving back to the community in ways that would improve the quality of life for others. In 1971 the Warden family started the Bert W. Martin Foundation.

Warden lives in Pinal County and heard about the great work the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit does. He contacted Lt. Tamatha Villar and expressed an interest in helping. The result was a $20,000 donation to the unit. 

The funding will be used for new facilities and day-to-day care of the horses.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit assists with search and rescue operations, patrol operations, crowd and riot control, as well as parades.

“I am very appreciative of the generous donation made by Mr. Warden to our Mounted Unit,” said Sheriff Babeu.  Deputies on horseback are a valuable resource in Pinal County because of our mountainous terrain. Frequently, a mounted deputy can access areas where traditional police vehicles cannot due to space limitations or congestion. Our Mounted Unit has assisted in numerous successful search and rescue operations throughout the years.”

Submitted photo (left to right: Sgt. Penny Fendley, Chandler Warden, Sheriff Paul Babeu and Lt. Tamatha Villar)