WATCH: Cocoa Police Says Goodbye to K-9 Bear, Proudly Served on the CPD SWAT Team

Bear came from distinguished bloodlines as a third-generation police K-9

WATCH: Last week, the Cocoa Police Department said goodbye to one of their most cherished partners and friends, K-9 Bear.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Last week, the Cocoa Police Department said goodbye to one of their most cherished partners and friends, K-9 Bear.

K-9 Bear, a proud German Shepherd born on April 20, 2012, in Brevard County, came from distinguished bloodlines as a third-generation police K-9 serving with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

He joined the Cocoa Police Department in 2014 and quickly became an irreplaceable member of the family.

Dual-certified in patrol and narcotics, Bear was trained to track fleeing suspects, locate missing and endangered individuals, uncover illegal drugs, and recover critical evidence in criminal investigations.

He proudly served on the CPD SWAT Team and was assigned to the Patrol Division, where his impact was felt almost immediately.

One of Bear’s first calls with his partner, Officer Dan Rhoades, was the search for a missing individual with the mental capacity of a six-year-old who had wandered away from a service station on SR-524.

Without hesitation, Bear picked up the scent from the last known location and led Officer Rhoades to the individual, who was safely located hiding in a vacant home nearby. It was an early moment that foreshadowed the countless lives Bear would touch throughout his career.

Over the years, K-9 Bear safely apprehended numerous suspects, located drugs and weapons used in crimes, and faithfully served our community with courage and heart. Alongside his human partner, he also played a vital role in educating the public about the importance of police K-9s and their role in keeping our community safe.

In 2020, Bear earned national recognition when he and Officer Rhoades were crowned America’s Top Dog on the A&E Network. Competing against elite K-9 teams from across the country, Bear’s skill, discipline, and spirit set him apart.

True to his generous legacy, the $10,000 prize was donated to Cocoa High School for track and field improvements, and an additional $5,000 supported the Space Coast Police K-9 Competition.

Bear’s influence helped inspire the creation of the Space Coast Police K-9 Foundation, which continues to support K-9 programs throughout the region and hosts an annual competition that brings the community and law enforcement together.

After eight years of devoted service to the City of Cocoa, K-9 Bear retired in 2022. His remarkable career was formally recognized when Congressman Bill Posey issued a proclamation placing Bear into the United States Congressional Record, noting, “K-9 Bear was not just a tool to help his human police officer. K-9 Bear was, and will always be, a loyal friend.” Those words perfectly captured the bond Bear shared with his partner and our community.

On December 26, 2025, K-9 Bear was given his final bite before being laid to rest, surrounded by the love of his family, coworkers, friends, and fellow K-9 handlers from across the Space Coast.

K-9 Bear’s legacy lives on in the lives he protected, the hearts he touched, and the community he served so faithfully. He will always be remembered—not just as an exceptional police K-9, but as a beloved member of the Cocoa Police Department family.

Similar Stories