Gulf Coast Living Online

For the past three-and-a-half years, Abram has worked as a Police Dog in the Venice Police Department’s Canine Division with his handler and partner, Sergeant David Wyrick. According to Sgt. Wyrick, “Becoming a Police Dog is no small undertaking. Three dogs were evaluated, and in the initial battery of tests, Abram was by far the most mature and obedient. Once we were matched up, we began the process of bonding, building trust, and becoming a team.”

They then attended 480 hours of training to qualify for certification by the state of Florida. As Sgt. Wyrick recalls, “All the training is done together, and it’s off-leash, using only verbal commands. It tests obedience, search work (both for drugs and people) and apprehension work. After passing the state certification course, we began working on the road together; that included one day each week devoted solely to training.”

Sgt. Wyrick and Abram had their own beat, but they also responded to other police officers who needed their services. Sgt. Wyrick adds, “Dogs like Abram have an incredible sense of smell. They find things we would never be able to search out without them; and, they are fearless. They put their own lives at risk so we don’t have to.”

So what is life like at home with Abram? According to Sgt. Wyrick, “Police Dogs must know how to turn it on for work and turn it off for home. My wife Elizabeth and I have two other dogs; and, from day one, Abram just blended into the pack. When our daughter Mallory was born, he adapted and they grew up together. My uniform is his trigger. Once I put it on and get in my police car, which Mallory emphatically calls Abram’s police car, he knows he’s going to work. Playtime is over.”

Sgt. Wyrick was recently promoted to Special Units Supervisor over the Marine, Canine and Traffic Divisions. In that position he could no longer keep Abram. Sgt. Wyrick says, “It’s like losing your partner. I felt very safe with him. It was my most rewarding time in eight years of serving in Law Enforcement.”

Abram has been reassigned within the Canine Division of the Venice Police Department. Sgt. Wyrick concludes, “Once Abram and his new handler get recertified I know it will be a different dynamic. I hope he still remembers me as a friend; not his master, but as an old pal.”