Bartow police K-9 Brody retires at 13 after more than a decade of service
The kickoff to the Nov. 2 Bartow City Commission regular meeting was the official retirement of Bartow Police Department K-9 Officer Brody.
Brody, 13, had served the city with honor for slightly more than a decade, along with his partner, Officer David Bilbrey. But following the recommendation of veterinarian Mariana Roura of Main Street Veterinary Center, the decision was made that continued service would not be beneficial, hence the decision.
While his retirement was slated on the agenda to take place under Resolutions, it was moved to the top of the meeting for an obvious reason: Brody appeared not comfortable in the well-attended chamber.
“He’s a little anxious, as you can tell. People make him nervous,” said Interim Police Chief Kyle Dowdy as he looked at a grinning Brody. “Don’t let that smile fool you.” With that, Dowdy turned the mic over to Officer David Bilbrey, Brody’s partner and handler, with whom Brody will live out his retirement, along with Bilbrey’s wife and daughter.
Promising to be brief, as he has a reputation as a “storyteller,” Bilbrey provided the background on how he came to partner with Brody. Having first joined the department in 2000, he served in several capacities, including as a detective and in the Community Services division. When he learned there were two openings to become a K-9 officer, he applied and was successful.
“Hands down, it’s been the best part of my career,” Bilbrey said. He then spoke of what the pair had accomplished, which included arrests and getting criminals off the street. “And it was all due to him.”
Sometimes, it was Brody’s appearance alone that produced results. As proof, Bilbrey spoke of an incident involving a large gathering.
“We told them to scatter. They didn’t listen. Brody came out, and they scattered,” he said. The anecdote prompted laughter. “Sometimes his presence alone was able to support his existence.”
Toward the end, Bilbrey’s composure slipped slightly as he spoke about the next stage in his career, transitioning to being a recruitment officer, as well as being involved with red light monitoring. The latter evoked additional laughter as he told the audience not to be surprised to see his name on a citation.
Bilbrey closed by thanking city commissioners for allowing him to keep Brody.
Steve Steiner can be reached at [email protected].
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is K-9 Brody?
Brody is a 13-year-old German shepherd who served with the Bartow Police Department for slightly more than a decade.
When did Brody retire?
The Bartow City Commission marked his retirement at its regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
Where will Brody live now?
Brody will live out his retirement with his handler, Officer David Bilbrey, and the Bilbrey family.
Sources: City of Bartow City Commission amended agenda, regular meeting Nov. 2, 2026, item 13a, Resolution No. 26-4281-R; City of Bartow City Commission regular meeting minutes, Oct. 19, 2026, in the Nov. 2, 2026, agenda packet; Steve Steiner reporting at the Nov. 2, 2026, meeting.
