Chief announces passing of Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council member, Bristol County K-9 Bear

Chief James Donovan regretfully announces the passing of Raynham Police’s beloved retired K-9 Bear.

Bear passed away at the age of 14 on February 8, surrounded by members of the Donovan family.

K-9 Bear served as a member of the Raynham Police Department working alongside Donovan from 2009-2017. Bear officially retired in 2017, however, he continued to accompany Chief Donovan to the station every day until his death.

K-9 Bear, a German Shephard from Hungary, began his career with then-Sgt. Donovan in 2009. In his first three years with the department, K-9 Bear responded to over 130 calls and found 30 individuals.

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Career highlights include K-9 Bear’s first call for service during which he tracked a suspect — in the middle of the night — from a business across several miles to the suspect’s home. He has also been credited with saving a community member’s life while responding to a mental health call.

When Donovan was promoted to chief in 2011, he became the only police chief in Massachusetts to have a working K-9. K-9 Bear continued to actively work until the department received the late K-9 Kyro in 2013. K-9 Bear then semi-retired, however, he continued to respond to calls until 2017.

K-9 Bear was also a member of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) K-9 Unit alongside Chief Donovan who serves as the unit’s control chief.

“K-9 Bear was an instrumental member of our department and worked diligently on many searches and investigations,” Chief Donovan said. “Not only was he a beloved member of our department, but he was also a member of my family having grown up alongside my son and daughter. He truly lived a great life and his retirement was filled with one of his favorite activities – naps. On behalf of my family and the Raynham Police Department, I truly thank everyone who has supported and cared for Bear. He is deeply missed.”