GERA
SHERIFF

German Bickbau

German Bickbau, known as Gera Sheriff, is a retired detective and author. His work focuses on U.S. law enforcement, criminal investigations, public safety and the legal aspects of immigration.

Born in Kazan to a Soviet Army officer and a schoolteacher, German studied engineering at the Kazan Aviation Institute and later at Moscow’s University of Oil and Gas. He immigrated to the United States in 1992.

After moving to the United States, he lived in New York, Boston and Miami. As South Florida’s Russian-speaking community was taking shape, he founded and published the state’s first Russian-language magazine.

In 2000, German joined the Broward Sheriff’s Office in Florida, one of the largest sheriff’s offices in the United States. His 23-year career included assignments in intake and booking, patrol and criminal investigations. He spent 12 years as a detective investigating serious criminal cases.

German Bickbau received numerous awards during his career, including the Medal of Honor, the Broward Sheriff’s Office’s highest award; the National Sheriffs’ Association Medal of Valor; and the Silver Cross. He also received commendations and awards from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Governor of Florida and other law enforcement agencies.

After retiring, he created Gera Sheriff, a Russian-language project about U.S. policing, criminal law, investigations, personal safety and practical understanding of the American legal system.

German Bickbau writes books about domestic violence law, interactions with police, criminal investigations and other issues involving law and public safety. Drawing on his professional experience, these books help readers understand U.S. law, avoid common legal mistakes and interact with law enforcement more confidently.

Today, German Bickbau continues to write books, give lectures and discuss policing, criminal investigations and public safety through his videos and public speaking engagements.