The Sonoma County Sheriff's Department is sad to report they have lost a K-9 in the line of duty.  On February 12, 2000 K-9 Maverick was struck and killed by a motor vehicle while pursuing two armed suspects that were in possession of a half-pound of methamphetamine and a loaded handgun.  Maverick is the only K-9 the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department has lost in the line of duty.

Maverick was a male German Shepherd.  He was donated to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department on March 26,1997 when he was 1 1/2 years old.  He was assigned to Deputy T. J. Van Bebber as his partner.  Maverick went through an extensive training program which included field searching, suspect apprehension, handler protection and obedience training.  Maverick was a fast learner and was certified to start working the streets with Deputy Van Bebber within six weeks.  Outside of his patrol duties, Maverick represented the Department in several canine demonstrations.  Because of his friendly demeanor, Maverick was often asked to perform demonstrations at local schools.

During his career, Maverick was responsible for apprehending several felony suspects.  He was best known for apprehending three suspects following a vehicle pursuit from a shots fired call.  After the suspect vehicle was stopped, three suspects fled on foot.  Maverick pursued the suspects with Deputy Van Bebber.  Maverick tackled two of the suspects, knocking them to the ground.  he then pursued the third suspect, catching him by the leg and holding him until Deputy Van Bebber arrived.

On Maverick's last night of field duty, Deputy Van Bebber and Maverick were patrolling an area of Santa Rosa classified as a high crime rate area.  Maverick was well known in the area by the criminal element.  Another Deputy had made a traffic stop on a vehicle suspected to be involved in criminal activity and requested back up.  Deputy Van Bebber and Maverick responded.  As they responded, the two suspects who were being detained could hear Maverick barking from the patrol vehicle, which was a trademark of his.  The suspects, with the arrival of the K-9, started to become uncooperative with the Deputy.  They fled on foot with Maverick in hot pursuit.  During the foot pursuit, the suspects dropped a large quantity of drugs and a loaded handgun.  While running across a busy street, a vehicle swerved to miss one of the eluding suspects and struck Maverick who had almost caught up to the suspects.  Maverick continued to chase the suspects after being hit, until he was called back by Deputy Van Bebber.

Maverick was immediately rushed to a nearby veterinarian clinic where he was pronounced dead a short time later.  Although  his career was cut short, he was killed in the line of duty doing what he loved best, "chasing bad guys."

Maverick Click the picture if you want to see a larger version.
Another Picture of Maverick Click the picture if you want to see a larger version.
Deputy Sheriff T. J. Van Bebber and Maverick. Click the picture if you want to see a larger version.
"In Memory" of Maverick Click on the picture if you want to see a larger version.

Presentation of Maverick's Award of Canine Excellence
Nov. 22, 2000

Presentation of Award to Deputy T. J. Van Bebber Left to right: Eugene Baldi MKC, Deputy T. J. Van Bebber, Connie Thompson MKC. Photo Courtesy of Sonoma County Sheriff's Dept.  Taken by  Detective  Joanne Rawson. Click on the picture if you want to see a larger version.
Presentation of Award to Department Left to right: Lieutenant Larry Doherty, Deputy T. J. Van Bebber, Connie Thompson MKC, Sherriff Jim Piccinini, and Sgt. Craig Wiseman. Photo Courtesy of Sonoma County Sheriff's Dept.  Taken by  Detective  Joanne Rawson. Click on the picture if you want to see a larger version.
AKC Award Box Click on the picture if you want to see a larger version.
AKC Award front view Click on the picture if you want to see a larger version.
Award back view Click on the picture if you want to see a larger version.
TJ with his new dog Colt Click on the picture if you want to see a larger version.