PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL — Born in 2015, Bert was a cross-breed between a German Shepherd and a Belgian Malinois, a prized combination in Law Enforcement service animals. He started working at PBSO in 2016 and demonstrated his value by becoming a successful Patrol and Explosive Detection Dog.
K9 Bert worked as a partner with his handler for eight years while tracking down numerous felony suspects and protecting the county from danger. The three armed suspects who ran onto Mar-a-Lago property were located by him which made him famous among his fellow deputies because of his ability to stay calm during dangerous situations.
Bert’s work often took him beyond the streets of Palm Beach County. As part of the Sheriff’s Office explosive detection team, he conducted countless sweeps for high-profile events and VIP visits, including during President Trump’s first term, his reelection campaign, and the start of the second term.
After his handler was promoted to sergeant, Bert retired in 2023. But true to his nature, he couldn’t stay away for long. In 2024, he came out of retirement to serve once again before stepping down for good earlier this year.
PBSO issued a statement to honor K9 Bert as an outstanding partner and protector who will forever inspire all members of the K9 unit.
The dog served as more than a working animal because he held the status of being family to him. The loss of this person created an empty area which used to be filled by his constant footsteps and his silent bond with others.
