Petri Hawkins Byrd, otherwise known as "Officer Byrd" of the TV court show, Judge Judy, was born in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York. He is the oldest of 4 children born to Esther and Bobby Byrd.

Byrd, as he's known to friends and fans alike, graduated from Eastern District High School in Brooklyn and attended Hostos Community College in the Bronx. In 1986, after being transferred from Brooklyn Family Court to Manhattan Family Court, Byrd met his future TV boss, Judge Judith Sheindlin. In 1989, Byrd received his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College. ("Some folks graduate 'magna cum laude'. I graduated 'Thank you, Lordy'"! )