Bear, born and raised in Germany, worked with Sergeant Jerry Garcia at the Mount Graham International Observatory. Beginning his University of Arizona career in December, 1994, Bear and Sgt. Garcia completed three months of training in narcotics detection, criminal apprehension and article search. He was certified by the National Narcotic Detection Dog Association (NNDDA) in 1995, and in 1996, the team certified with the National Police Canine Association (NPCA) in narcotic detection, handler protection and patrol. Bear had a keen nose for sniffing out personal-use amounts of narcotics and paraphernalia during most of his searches. Throughout his career, Bear participated in several K9 trials throughout Arizona, where his performances were legendary, earning the Reserve Grand Champion-Top Dog award in 1996, and 1st place in Area Search in 1997, when the University of Arizona Police K9 teams together earned the 4th place Top Agency award. Again in 1999 Bear was instrumental in the University of Arizona Police Department’s 4th place Top Agency. In his final competition at the Yuma K9 Trials, Bear received 5th place in Obedience/Obstacles and 1st place in Building Search, contributing to the University of Arizona Police Department’s 1st place Top Agency award. Bear is truly missed by many of the school children he annually visited. Bear lived at home with Sgt. Garcia and his family up until 2000, when he had to take a medical retirement due to valley fever. He was retired to Sergeant Garcia and his family with whom he lived and protected up until his death in May, 2005, at the age of 13.