Cops and Robbie

Sgt. Jerry Hildeman has three children — two girls and a boy — a wife of nine years, Alyssa, and a 4-year-old dog, Robbie.

It may seem weird to list Robbie, a police dog for Costa Mesa, as part of the family, but not if you talk to Hildeman.

“I spend more time with him than I do with my wife and kids,” Hildeman said. “I can tell you what he is going to do just by looking at him.”

Robbie, a Groenendael or Belgian Shepherd, was retired by the Costa Mesa Police Department at the City Council meeting Wednesday after four years of service.

Hildeman received a promotion Thursday, and per custom and tradition, Robbie will spend his days as a permanent resident in the Hildeman home.

“He is a big ham,” Hildeman said, describing Robbie when they spent time educating grade school children. Robbie laid on his back and let the children play with him.

But Robbie can be all business when needed.

Hildeman, who spent nine years in the Army before coming to Costa Mesa, remembers two distinct moments when Robbie saved lives.

One of their first calls together involved a man charging at Hildeman and Robbie with two butcher knives. Instead of having to use his weapon, Hildeman had Robbie stop the man before he was forced to shoot. The element of surprise worked to Robbie and Hildeman’s advantage, chasing the man in another direction before he was apprehended.

On one of their final calls together, Robbie saved another life and maybe more when he brought down a man who allegedly was going to pull a gun on officers during an arrest. Robbie tackled the man before officers were forced to engage in a gun battle, thus probably saving the man’s life as well as not putting any officer’s life at risk.

“That dog has surprised me so many times,” Hildeman said. “He is the most dedicated employee this department has ever seen.”

A dog’s heightened awareness and senses function perfectly for police work. Some might tend toward the animal’s teeth and ability to strike, but the dog isn’t a biting tool, according to Hildeman. Instead, the dog is used to keep both officers and suspects safer. The animal helps track evidence and suspects, uses his athleticism and senses for foot pursuits, and dogs like Robbie can deter attacks and catch the bad guys, Hildeman said.

And just as with any other partner who risks his or her life alongside someone else, a bond is created.

Hildeman has heard of only one instance of an officer declining to adopt a police dog, which was outside the Newport-Mesa area. In Costa Mesa, he says, he has never encountered it.

“It’s a love; it’s a passion,” Hildeman said. “It is the best job I have had in my entire life thus far.”

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at daniel.tedford@latimes.com.