Navajo County Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary Volunteer Program Manager John Turley recently provided an update on the reorganization of the Navajo County Hashknife Sheriff’s Posse Search & Rescue, and how the organization is focused on getting back to its roots, which started 66 years ago when a search and rescue operation was established under the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office. The organization already has more that 24 volunteers, both men and women, something that wasn’t allowed in past years.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the organization was originally formed when, after taking office in 1950, Navajo County Sheriff L. Ben Pearson experienced several serious events that spurred the discussion for a search and rescue operation to assist those in dire circumstances such as deep snow, flooding, fire or an airplane crash, all of which occurred during the first few years of his term. In 1954, Pearson along with Roy Downing organized the 16-man unit as an auxiliary organization under the supervision of the Sheriff’s Office.
In the period between 1955 and 1957, a friendship developed with rancher John Babbitt and he allowed the use of the “Hashknife” moniker for the group. John, the son of CJ Babbitt, had been placed in charge of the then Spur Land & Cattle Co., in Flagstaff, which had acquired the land and livestock of the Aztec Land & Cattle Co., also known as the Hashknife Outfit.
In 1958, the idea came about to invite then Governor Paul Fannin to attend the annual Navajo County Sheriff’s Posse Hashknife Junior Rodeo and Stampede in June of that year. That event spurred the tradition known as the Navajo County Hashknife Sheriff’s Posse Pony Express Ride that took riders from Holbrook, through Payson and down to Scottsdale. The annual ride continued as a fundraising effort to support the search and rescue efforts, such as equipment clothing, fuel and food for when a search was requested by the sheriff or for community support.
In 2008, the name of the event was changed to the Hashknife Pony Express, a name former Hashknife Captain Mark Reynolds recently took for his non-profit in February of this year. This was following other non-profit organizations Reynolds formed under his name. The Navajo County Sheriff’s Posse, Inc. was registered in 1984 and the Quarter Circle T Bar Brand (Hashknife), was registered in 2021. Reynolds, who served as captain of the auxiliary organization for 25 years, up until this year, accepted all the proceeds from sales of merchandise and donations and placed them into one of those non-profits. Those funds were then spent on motel rooms, food, fuel, merchandise, and trailers reportedly used for the pony express ride.
In 2014, it was learned that the organization was no longer certified to be utilized as a search and rescue auxiliary organization, with then Sheriff K.C Clark requiring those in the organization to become recertified before they would be called upon to assist his agency. According to the Sheriff’s Office, that never happened. When that was discovered by Sheriff David Clouse earlier this year, action was taken to remove the operation from under the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.
“I’ve heard a lot of rumors in the community about people not knowing what to do or what to think because they’re so used to how things have been going on for so many years and we come along and tip over the cart,” stated Turley. “There was a lack of oversight over the years but David (Clouse) is not that way. He wants things to work and he wants it to be right and so that’s why we did this.”
Speaking on the changes in operations and the return to the original intent of the organization, Turley stated that a non-profit was formed to support the mission of the newly reorganized group: the Navajo County Hashknife Sheriff’s Posse Search & Rescue. This new organization is overseen by a board of nine members, elected for three-year terms, plus a statutory agent assigned by the Navajo County Sheriff, regardless of who that is. Donations to this organization will be used as they were originally intended to: to fund search and rescue operations and community support.
Regarding the operation run by Reynolds, that future is uncertain. Cities taking part in the ride, including Holbrook, Payson and Scottsdale, each contribute annually to the ride. Holbrook provided $4,000, Payson contributed $2,500 and Scottsdale contributed the most, providing approximately $20,000 to support this year’s ride that was held in February. But in addition to that are private donors and businesses, as well as income from membership dues and sale of merchandise that totaled over $35,000.
In discussions with administrators with City of Scottsdale, Sheriff Clouse and Turley are determining if the Sheriff’s Office will continue with the ride. “We spoke with them and the reply we received was that Scottsdale will be working with the entity that is under the direction of the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, which is the organization that the ride originated with. So, we hope to be planning a ride for the next year.”
After learning how the group has been operating, the City of Holbrook is no longer providing a meeting place for Reynolds’ group, and there is no line item on the agenda to provide support for that organization for the 2025 ride.
In another turn of events, although the outfit has long claimed to be the only officially sanctioned pony express ride allowed to carry the US mail as it is sworn in by the US Postal Service prior to each ride, the US Postal Service disagrees. John Hyatt, strategic communications specialist with the United States Postal Service stated, “This event is a ceremonial ride commemorating a historical route and is not officially sanctioned by the Postal Service. These riders are not employees nor contractors of USPS. The letters are only considered mail once they are given to a postal employee for processing.” He then added, “Future events will be evaluated individually.”
The event is an integral part of Holbrook’s traditions and Western Week is an important event for the City of Scottsdale, with the annual pony express ride a valued part of that event. Turley said that the Sheriff’s Office is working to make sure it continues, and that it is done so to bring recognition to the communities it serves, to the work that is being done through search and rescue, and to celebrate the Western tradition that began in Holbrook.
Anyone over the age of 21, interested in taking part in the search and rescue operation can apply. Applicants must not have a felony record, be able to pass a background check, comply with training requirements, and the code of conduct, and be a resident of Navajo County. No specific skill-set is required. There are many capacities in which to serve that can accommodate physical limitations and training will be provided through local agencies.
