“The relationship is good,” says Deputy Sheriff Robert Workman about his patrol partner. “I’m the big spoon, he’s the little spoon.”
Robert, 52, is a 15-year law enforcement veteran, but he’s new to Montgomery County in 2018. His partner is just 7 years old, Czechoslovakian and “mellow,” according to Robert. The officer’s name is Viper and he’s a German Shepherd.
Viper, formerly named “Waro,” which means “warrior” in German, has been Robert’s partner for five years. Robert changed his name to avoid confusion and says he picked it because he didn’t want one of those “fluffy” names. Robert says he feels lucky to have gotten Viper for his partner. Viper was in a dog fight in Germany and was left with a scar over his ear, making him undesirable back in Germany. But when Robert saw how intelligent and capable he was – Viper is trained to detect bombs and drugs as well as track lost people – Robert chose his new friend.
As Robert leaves his Menifee County house for work, Viper leaps in and then lays down in the back, waiting for action. He is a welcome asset in Robert’s own take on policing.
“I enjoy law enforcement because of the serve and protect element,” he says. “We are the middle between the everyday hard-working people and the criminal aspect. It’s the sheepdog mentality.”
Upon finishing their afternoon shift, Viper hops back into the police SUV and they ride home together. Viper lives with Robert, wife Michelle, and their 10-year-old daughter Hayley, where he is considered a part of the family. Robert laughs when explaining how Hayley likes to think she’s training Viper, giving him “up” and “down” commands, but really, Viper is just playing with her and likes the attention. He may have a “big bark,” but Viper makes life better when he’s around.
