Modoc County Sheriff's Dept.


In the fall of 1953 a group of 20 men met at Mary Arena’s for the purpose of forming a Sheriff’s Posse to aid the Modoc Sheriff’s Office in search and rescue operations. Leading this group was Modoc County Under-Sheriff Lynn Harris, California Highway Patrol Officer Ed Kolowaski and Likely Rancher Rob Flournoy. The organization was created after several meetings which were held about every other month during the winter of 1953 and the following spring. Paul Baker, a local Lawyer, drew up the by-laws and started the process of incorporating the new organization. In the mean time, the new Modoc County Sheriff’s Posse was officially formed on May 5th. 1954, and as it took root the membership began to grow. Ed Kolowaski was named the acting Captain and Rob Flournoy as Lieutenant, Bob Untarnaher did the Secretarial chores and Russ Enderlin acted as Treasurer. The Sheriff’s Modoc County Sheriff’s Posse First Annual Junior Horse Show was held on June 9th and 10th 1955, in conjunction with the Rotary Livestock Show. On August 22nd. 1955 The Modoc County Sheriff’s Posse was incorporated and officially Chartered with 47 members. Ed Kolowaski was voted in as the Posse’s first Captain and Rob Flournoy as Lieutenant under the guidance of Sheriff (E.R.) Buck Server and Under-Sheriff Lynn Harris. The Modoc County Sheriff’s Posse (MCSP) is a Non -Profit Organization and an extension of the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office. When called upon by the Sheriff, some of the duties of the Posse include, search and rescue or recovery, traffic and crowd control, provide security and safety for the people in and around Modoc County, assist the people during natural or man made disasters. The Posse helps the Modoc County Public Health Department and also donates countless hours in several civic functions such as Modoc Queen Contest, Modoc District Fair security, the Annual Children’s Fair booth, the Jr. Horse Show just to name a few. The MCSP holds monthly meetings on the first Thursday of each month. We also have four special meetings a year, spring dinner/meeting put on by the Cedarville Fire department, summer dinner/meeting, fall dinner/meeting put on by the Likely Fire Department and the Annual winter ladies night and election of Officers.	The Governing Board consists of six members who shall be elected by a majority vote of the Posse. The Captain, a Lieutenant and the Secretary/Treasurer are the Officers. The other three members are first, second and third year Directors. Should you wish to become a member of the Modoc County Sheriff’s Posse you will need to be invited into the organization by a Posse member that is paid up and in good standing. Fill out an application for membership, have it signed by a sponsor (member with three years or more with the MCSP) Provide information on a Modoc County Sheriff’s Posse Membership Data Form, listing the equipment you may have, any training and skills that may aid the Posse in performing the duties required of them. You must never have been convicted of a felony or a crime of violence. Candidates for membership shall be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the County of Modoc and the State of California, for at least one year. Candidates must be of good moral standing, temperate habits and in good health. The candidate must be fingerprinted and have a full background check with the State Department of Justice and the Modoc Sheriff's Office. A Posse member must conduct themselves in a manner that is exemplary of the corporation, the County and law enforcement. There is a $110.00 initiation fee and yearly dues of $20.00. All new members are required to be on probation for one year before becoming a permanent member. Each new member shall be required to immediately outfit themselves with the uniform and equipment then in use by the Posse. At the present time the Modoc County Sheriff’s Posse membership is just under 100 strong. The MCSP members are all volunteers, (no one receives any pay). Founding members including Under-Sheriff Lynn Harris totaled 20. Charter Members totaled 47. Past Captains as of 2011 totaled 57 -- 30 are still alive and 25 who are still active or semi-active. Since the update of the By-Laws in 1970 no one can be Captain for more than one year. When a member is elected to office it takes 6 years to go through the chairs. 1st. year Director – 2nd. year Director. – 3rd. year Director – Sect./Tres. – Lieutenant. – Captain one year in each position. If you would like a challenge and are up to the commitment and you are ready to volunteer to serve your Sheriff’s Office, County and Country, talk to a member of the Modoc County Sheriff’s Posse.
The Modoc County Sheriff’s Posse is not one for profit