American Quarter Horse Texan Tom Nicks of the Los Angeles Police Department Metropolitan Division Mounted Platoon recently won the Equine Public Service Award for 2004. This award is designed to honor American Quarter Horses who work in the public service sector.

“We are thrilled to honor an American Quarter Horse that gives so much back to its community,” said AQHA Executive Vice President Bill Brewer. “Texan Tom Nicks is most definitely deserving of this title.”

Horses nominated for the award must meet one of the following criteria: Have documented meritorious service, been spotlighted by a media outlet, won a national title at a mounted patrol competition, been recognized by a municipal organization, or gone above and beyond the call of duty to create a safer environment for the public.

Texan Tom Nicks, a 1987 bay gelding affectionately called Tom, came to the LAPD in August of 1995 with a great aptitude for police work. Tom’s division of the LAPD works in a wide range of law enforcement activities including crowd control, search and rescue, crime suppression, and many community relations functions