Bethel Police Say Goodbye to Beloved K9 Officer Bruno: End of Watch – July 11, 2016

Brookfield, CT — After 8 years of working side-by-side with Officer Sgt. Jeffrey Osuch, the Brookfield Police Department announced Monday that their beloved K9 officer Bruno has passed away.

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The Brookfield PD posted the following message on their Facebook page:

"It is with great sadness that the Brookfield Police Department announces the passing of K9 Officer Bruno. Bruno was laid to rest on July 11, 2016. He was 11 years old.

Bruno began his career at the Brookfield Police Department with Sgt. Jeffrey Osuch in January of 2008, and faithfully served until July of 2016. Bruno was certified in and performed the following Police K-9 functions: narcotics detection, tracking, area and building searching, evidence recovery and handler protection. During his career, Bruno was not only called into action in Brookfield, but he was also called in to assist the Bethel, Danbury, Monroe, New Milford, Newtown, Ridgefield, Woodbury, and Connecticut State Police Departments.

During Bruno’s more than 8 years of service, he was responsible for and assisted with countless drug arrests. Bruno served on a regional Emergency Services Unit and took the lead position on several ESU calls. On one ESU call, Bruno led the Unit on a track of an armed bank robber and assisted during a several hour standoff with the suspect. Not only did Bruno track several armed and unarmed criminal suspects over his career but he tracked missing adults/children and suicidal persons as well.

Most recently, in February of 2016, Bruno successfully tracked a suicidal 17 year old female, in the dead of winter, which helped save her life. In addition to his front-line police duties, Bruno participated in numerous public relations and informational demonstrations in the community.

Over the course of his career, Bruno was awarded 1 Life Saving award, 3 Exceptional Service awards, and 1 Unit Citation award in addition to many letters of commendation and thanks. The passing of Bruno will leave a void in the lives of those with whom he came in contact and with the communities he faithfully served.
End of Watch – Monday, July 11, 2016.

We extend our sincere gratitude to City of Danbury Police Department,New Milford Police Department, Ridgefield CT Police Department, Wilton, CT Police Department, Wilton, CT Police K9 Unit, Bethel Police Department, Newtown Police Department, Newtown Police K9 Unit,Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police, and Connecticut State Police for assisting us with honoring Officer Bruno today!

GOOD BOY BRUNO!!
- BPD"

Photo: Bruno with his partner and handler Officer Sgt. Jeffrey Osuch. Credit: Brookfield Police Department photo