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Officer Gray and Police Service Dog Rico

Officer Gray is the newest BPD K9 handler. He joined the K9 Unit in August 2008. He began his BPD career in 1999. He worked as a patrol officer for four years. He then joined the Community Oriented Policing (COPPS) Unit in 2003. Officer Gray was a member of the COPPS unit, and a motorcycle officer, until he was selected to join the K9 Unit.

Rico was partner with Officer Gray in October. Officer Gray and Rico became a certified K9 team in January of 2009. PSD Rico is a 90-pound Dutch Shepard born in 2006. Officer Gray said he felt a bond with Rico the instant he met him:

"After returning to Nebraska, training felt natural. Rico is a dog that loves to work. He learned things very quickly. Everything he does he gives it his all. He's also a very playful and affectionate dog. I'm looking forward to working with Rico in the public. He's a great addition to our K9 unit and to the Bellevue Police Department."

Before joining the Bellevue Police Department, Officer Gray served in the military for over five years as an Avionics Computer Technician. He then worked as a prison guard in Pennsylvania for six years before relocating to Bellevue.