Turner Woodard And Family Donate $255,000 For The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Mounted Patrol’s New Horse Barn Campaign

Local businessman and real estate turnaround specialist Turner Woodard announced today that his family was making a $255,000 gift to the Central Indiana Police Foundation to help with the building of a new horse barn, stables and offices for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s Mounted Horse Patrol.

“The IMPD Mounted Horse Patrol is a special unit of highly trained and dedicated officers that has looked after our operations during my thirty years of owning the Stutz Factory in downtown Indianapolis. They have always been there for us and it’s our turn to be there for them. They are a great asset for the city,” states Turner Woodard.

“I’m honored that my family can make this donation in the name of The Woodard Van Riper Family Foundation. This gift is our entire family giving back to a worthy and deserving cause. My wife Diann, my daughters Taylor and Whitney and my son Turner John were raised in Indianapolis and they have a fond appreciation and great respect for the Mounted Patrol,” adds Woodard.

For many, many years, the IMPD Mounted Horse Patrol has operated out of sub-standard offices and makeshift stables. They are in dire need of a new permanent facility for their officers and horses. “This donation will serve as a cornerstone of the project and we intend to name a part of the new facilities after The Woodard Van Riper Family Foundation,” states Tom Godby, president of the IMPD Horse Patrol Association’s board.

Known as “The Approachable Police”, the Mounted Patrol Unit serves the community while on horseback and welcomes and protects both residents and visitors to our city for conventions, sporting events, cultural activities and special events.

“While we have received several significant donations the past few months, we are still in need of about $500,000 to ensure the stables are fully completed and outfitted“ says Lisa Rollings, executive director of the Central Indiana Police Foundation.

Any donation amount is welcomed and can be made through the CIPF website (https://cipf.foundation/buildthebarn/). There are various naming opportunities still available, ranging between $10,000 and $50,000 donation levels. The $1.7 million dollar facility will sit on part of the former Central State Hospital Campus on East Washington Street, just east of downtown. The project is set to break ground in April, with a grand opening slated for later this year.