The Bellevue Police Department has lost an unlikely hero.

With his partner, he worked the streets of Bellevue and assisted surrounding cities in more than 50 successful captures.

This hero was none other than a German Shepard, beloved police K-9, Bosco, Badge #0018.

He passed away after a successful career yesterday, Dec. 13 at 10 years old.

Bosco’s story is a true rags to riches tale.

In 2003, he was found tied to a fence by some neighbors. The family moved out of the area and left the dog there with a note asking that he be taken to the pound. The neighbors contacted a rescue organization and Bosco was saved. The rescuer wanted to use Bosco as a service dog but knew he had too much energy. She heard the Bellevue Police Department was looking for a police dog so she gave them a call. K-9 Officer Dave Ethredge arrived and within five minutes, he decided that this handsome German Shepherd was a good candidate for police work.

Bosco quickly thrived in the police world. He was assigned to his handler, Officer Dave Sanabria, and within the next few months they became a certified team. In 2004, Sanabria and Bosco became accredited with the Washington State Police Canine Association.

Among his captures are two notable cases:

In 2005, Bosco responded to an incident involving the sexual assault of a teenage girl in Bothell. The unknown suspect broke into the victim’s home through her bedroom window. After assaulting her, he fled through the window. Bosco tracked from the victim’s window and located the suspect who had fled back to his apartment. Without Bosco’s successful track, the suspect may very well have gone unidentified.

Bosco was sidelined in 2007 with back surgery. After six months of recovery, he returned to full duty. That same year he tracked a suspect who fled from a stolen car. The suspect ran from the scene, broke into a home, and began assaulting the lone female resident. Because of Bosco’s track, officers were able to locate the suspect and stop the assault before the victim was seriously injured.

Bosco retired in October 2009 and became the Sanabria’s family pet, a part of his life he loved as much as police work. “He was a great dog and partner. I’ll miss him,” Lieutenant Dave Sanabria said.