In a chase straight out of a movie, a Florida man learned that you could run from the law—but you can’t outrun a police horse.
On Tuesday morning, 25-year-old Jordan Wilson was caught allegedly handing off illegal drugs in Jacksonville. When officers approached, Wilson decided to make a run for it, darting into traffic to escape. But what he didn’t expect? A four-legged officer named Nash was hot on his trail.
Officer Cassie Haire, mounted on her trusted partner Nash, wasn’t about to let Wilson get away. As the suspect took off, she urged her horse forward with a simple command: “Get that bad man!”
A quarter-mile pursuit through the streets followed, with bodycam footage capturing Wilson dodging cars and sprinting in desperation. But Nash, trained for moments like this, kept up effortlessly. Wilson, realizing he had no chance against the galloping officer, eventually surrendered. He was arrested and later charged with resisting an officer without violence.
Locals in the area couldn’t believe what they were witnessing. The chase ended in a McDonald’s parking lot, where bystanders looked on in amusement. Some took to social media to joke about the lunchtime drama.
One resident quipped, “You know it’s bad when even the horse is faster than you.” Another joked, “McDonald’s ice cream machine is broken, and now this? What a day!”
Despite the humor, there was a shared sense of relief that the situation ended without injuries.
While police chases often involve squad cars and sirens, mounted units bring a unique advantage. Unlike vehicles, horses can weave through tight spaces, jump curbs, and navigate tricky terrain—making them perfect for situations like Wilson’s attempted getaway.
Jacksonville’s Mounted Unit, which includes Nash and his fellow crime-fighting steeds Jaxx, Judge, and Duke, plays a vital role in the city’s law enforcement. Whether it’s crowd control, public safety, or, in this case, chasing down suspects, these horses prove they are more than just a community presence—they are active participants in police work.
Horses like Nash undergo months—sometimes years—of rigorous training before joining the force. Their preparation includes:
✅ Exposure to stimuli – Learning to remain calm around flashing lights, sirens, and loud noises.
✅ Trust-building – Developing a strong bond with their officer to handle high-pressure situations.
✅ Desensitization – Getting used to crowds, traffic, and unexpected disturbances.
✅ Real-world experience – Patrolling busy streets to adjust to the urban environment.
This extensive training ensures that when duty calls, police horses are ready to respond—whether it’s controlling a rowdy crowd or chasing down a fleeing suspect.
This isn’t the first time a police horse has played a key role in an arrest. In Tampa, after a Super Bowl celebration turned chaotic, police horses formed a protective barrier around officers making an arrest, preventing interference from the crowd.
Florida law also takes mounted police seriously—assaulting a police horse carries the same legal weight as assaulting a human officer.
