Staff photo by Fritz Busch Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (LEMA) Caisson Team training participants from left, Dustie Speldrich and Bob LeClarie lead a horse-drawn wagon on a trail around the City of New Ulm Compost Site Friday.

NEW ULM — The Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (LEMA) Honor Guard honored two New Ulm Battery members and a retired Winthrop Police Chief for ceremonial horse team support Friday.

Bruce Froehlich of rural Winthrop received a collection of five photos in a large glass frame for supplying horses for LEMA Honor Guard training and providing honors at law enforcement funerals.

“This organization has great people. I started decades ago and have been supplying them horses ever since. It’s great. Being in law enforcement, it’s something different for me. I want to give back to law enforcement,” said Froehlich, who was in law enforcement for 32 years, 27 years as police chief.

New Ulm Battery members Tony Arndt and Ryan Kelly received plaques for continued LEMA Caisson Team support and training.

“The work these people do is really a special part of our honor guard. They’ve undertaken services for officers, their families, and the greater law enforcement community to the next level as we pay our respects to our fallen officers,” said LEMA Deputy Commander Pat Chelmo. “We’ve had an incredible relationship with the New Ulm Battery for 15 years, helping us design and build our own caisson (ammunition-holding wagon). This couldn’t happen without the support of the New Ulm Battery. We want to take time today to say thank you and share our gratitude for your work. None of this would be possible without the dedication, passion, patience and expertise. Thank you very much,” said LEMA Deputy Commander Pat Chelmo.

“Bruce got us immaculate horses whenever we needed them,” said LEMA Cassion Unit Lt. Tom Handwerk.

Retired Suburban Hennepin Regional Parks Police Officer Kevin Whitlock said he was in LEMA camp on Sept. 1, 200 and recalled how responsible New Ulm Battery members were.

“They graciously gave us their time,” said Whitlock. “The cool part is, after all these years, the relationship is still strong. We wouldn’t be as successful as we are without New Ulm Battery commitments. It was just four of us when we started. The caisson honor guard has surpassed my dreams. Hearing the horse hoofs is the most awesome sound you can hear. I was born and raised in the city and learned how to ride horseback.”

Ryan Kelly said the unit feels special to him.

“This is like a family. It’s awesome. I just want to keep it running,” he said.

LEMA Honor Guard opportunities include training with the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry at Fort Meyer, VA., participating in the National Law Enforcement Memorial event in Washington, D.C. and Police Memorial Day at the Minnesota State Capitol.