Stampede Days Rodeo

History:
The Kern County Sheriff’s Reserves were first organized in 1939 to augment paid Deputies during the wartime emergency. This was an experiment born of wartime necessity that proved entirely successful. In 1940, 35 volunteer Reserves graduated from the first Reserve Academy.

In 1954, the volunteer Reserves formed a nonprofit corporation and became The Kern County Sheriff’s Reserve Corporation. The Corporation has since operated on funds independent from the Sheriff’s Department. In addition to the $5 annual membership fee each Reserve was required to pay, the Corporation received payment from the Kern County Fair to provide law-enforcement coverage.

In the mid 1980’s, the Corporation received approval from the State to become a nonprofit / charitable organization. This status change opened many doors for receiving donations. The Reserve Corporation could now purchase some of the emergency equipment Reserves needed when working patrol. The volunteer Reserves were no longer required to pay an annual membership fee.

As of 2003, we have over 150 Reserves serving our community.