Bart, Bartlett's first canine dies after eight years of service

Few understand just what Bartlett Police Officer Bill Hecker's is going through after the death of Bart, his canine partner on the force.

"It's really devastating," Hecker said, struggling for words. "Unless you've worked as a handler, or a service dog, it's hard to describe that bond."

Bart, Bartlett's first canine officer, was euthanized Wednesday after his rear legs became paralyzed as a result of spinal deterioration. The condition has affected him for the past year.

The 14-year-old, 90-pound German shepherd had retired from active duty in 2004, and Hecker bought him from the village so he could continue to live at Hecker's Bartlett home. The two were paired in 1996, working together more than eight years. Hecker said he was picked from four police applicants to be Bart's handler.

Bart could be seen not just at crime scenes but at public events like the village's National Night Out and school events. Since his retirement, another dog, Brewster, had taken his place.

"The two aren't playmates, I could tell you that," Hecker said.

But despite having the temperament to be a criminal's worst nightmare, Bart was also gentle enough to play with Hecker's young nieces and nephews, who rode him like a horse.

Bart used his powerful sense of smell to help with drug busts and located bodies hidden in the woods. Hecker said Bart would never cease to amaze him - the dog even figured out how to use the water fountain at the station. Bart could eat also a 45-pound bag of food in a month.

He graduated from canine school at Tops Kennels in Grayslake, were he learned his commands.

"It was a joy and pleasure for me to work with him," Hecker said.