06/03/2026
Today students and teachers of Blessed Sacrament School stood alongside members of Madison Police Department to celebrate our newest member of the Madison mounted patrol unit!
Buckets was honored in a private badge ceremony with his sponsor, their family, and members of the Blessed Sacrament school. Buckets joined us in 2024, now after two years of service and countless deployments Buckets is officially off probation and has earned his badge!
The John and Twila Sheskey Charitable Fund, Buckets’ sponsor, named Buckets in honor of retired MPD Detective John Sheskey. Catherine Sheskey spoke on behalf of the Sheskey family and explained how Buckets got his name. John Sheskey served in the military and spent some time at sea. While deployed at sea John earned a reputation of getting sea sick. His crew mates lovingly gave him the nickname of Buckets, now Buckets carries that name with honor, in memory of John.
In his time with Madison police department, Buckets has deployed at small community events, search and rescue efforts, and even large scale events such as the Mifflin street block party, and UW Football games. Throughout each of these deployments Buckets has demonstrated a calm quiet disposition with a curious mentality. These are all traits that make up an incredible police horse. While his learning will never be done, just like every police officer. Buckets has shown us he has what it takes!
Buckets was joined by the Blessed Sacrament School district, members of the Madison mounted unit, members of the Friends of Madison Mounted Horse Patrol board, Madison police department honor guard, Madison police Chief John Patterson, and many others.
Catherine Sheskey was given the honor to pin Buckets badge to his breast collar while students and MPD members watched. We cannot thank The John and Twila Sheskey Charitable Fund enough for their continued support over the last few years! It was an honor to celebrate this milestone for Buckets with each of you.
