Remembering Arko:

Retired Lynchburg Police K9 Has Passed

The Lynchburg Police Foundation has announced with great sadness the passing of retired Lynchburg Police K9 Arko. Arko served the community with distinction from 2016 to 2021, deploying 551 times throughout Lynchburg and the surrounding counties.

Arko was more than a working dog; he was a hero, a guardian, and a loyal partner whose courage never wavered. During his years of service, he earned the LPD Medal of Honor, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police Award for Valor (2019), the Meritorious Service Award, and the Honorable Service Award, making him one of the most decorated K9s in the department’s history. Yet these honors tell only part of his story.

Arko’s greatest legacy was the heart and determination he brought to every moment of his life. In 2018, he bravely apprehended an extremely violent suspect under extraordinary danger, acting without hesitation to protect his handler, fellow officers, and the community. His bravery saved lives. His loyalty never faltered. His courage set a standard that inspired others.

Arko’s story continued beyond his uniformed service. After years of protecting others, he enjoyed a well-earned retirement filled with love, comfort, Kong’s, and vacation trips. He spent those days beside the person he trusted most, finally able to simply be a dog with free roam of the house and a soft bed to relax on.

Arko will be remembered not only for his strength and bravery but also for his gentleness and the unbreakable bond he shared with his handler, Lieutenant N.R. Godsie. He leaves behind a legacy of courage, loyalty, and love that will forever live in the hearts of those who knew him.

K9 Arko was laid to rest peacefully on Sunday, with his handler and family at his side.