A North Texas police department is mourning the death of its first K-9 officer, Breta.
North Richland Hills Police Department took to Facebook on Tuesday to announce that Breta had passed away Sunday morning.
Breta joined the department on June 13, 2012, as the unit’s first-ever K-9. Officers called her a “dedicated worker” who had nearly 1,000 deployments alongside law enforcement. On her very last patrol shift, she assisted Arlington police with an investigation that resulted in the seizure of $167,000.
“Breta was also full of love and was always ready to be playful or accept belly rubs,” read the department’s Facebook post. “She was open to love from you, our community, and love her, you did.”
After nine years of work, Breta retired on February 24, 2021. She lived alongside Officer Tom Bulger and his wife, Mindy.
“It is a well-known fact that canines reflect their handler, and that is a key reason Breta was so wonderful. Her handler, Officer Tom Bulger, poured himself into Breta and the K9 program, and together, Tom and Breta set the standard for our current teams to follow,” reads the post.
Once she had retired, Breta would wait to hear Tom’s car each day to know he had come home from work.
When Breta began experiencing health issues in June 2023, the Citizens Policy Academy Alumni Association, along with members of the North Richland Hills community, came together to support her medical care. She would have turned 14 in January.
The North Richland Hills Police Department held a private service Tuesday morning to honor Breta and the work she did in the community.
Relatedly, the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office celebrated one of its K-9 officers earlier this year when the narcotics detection dog retired after five years of service, as reported by The Dallas Express.
The department held a special party to celebrate K-9 Officer Ara’s service, with a dog cake and a room full of tennis balls.
An estimated 50,000 police dogs work with law enforcement in an array of capacities across the United States. Their duties include the detection of illicit items, suspect apprehension, search and rescue, and more. While German Shepherds are the most popular choice for law enforcement, other popular breeds include Labrador Retrievers, Belgian Malinois, American Pit Bulls, Bloodhounds, Beagles, and Boxers.