Goldsboro, N.C .– On Tuesday, April 29, the Goldsboro Police Department held a First Responders Memorial at Wayne Community College honoring the life and service of K9 Lark, a German Shepherd who served with the Goldsboro Police Department. Many of first responders, students, and community members gathered to pay tribute to the loyal and courageous K9, who passed away just one month shy of his sixth birthday.

K9 Lark began his career with the Goldsboro Police Department in 2020 after being imported from Poland and trained by Highland Canine. A dual-purpose K9, Lark was certified in narcotics detection, article searches, scent discrimination, trailing, and patrol work. His impressive training included 320 hours of K9 handler school—an achievement comparable to completing Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) twice.

Throughout his career, Lark passed every annual certification and underwent additional training in tactical tracking and high-risk K9 deployments. At the time of his passing, he and his handler, Officer Christian Brady, were preparing to begin decoy training.

Lark served under two handlers during his time with the department. His first handler, whose identity remains private, partnered with him from 2020 until early 2024. In the final months of his service, Lark was assigned to Officer Brady. Despite working together for only five months, their bond was unmistakably strong.

During their time as partners, Lark and Officer Brady assisted in multiple arrests, seized numerous firearms, and removed over 320 grams of narcotics from the streets of Goldsboro. Known for his calm demeanor—especially while Officer Brady communicated over the radio—Lark quickly became a beloved member of the team.

The First Responders Memorial served as a moment of reflection and gratitude for Lark’s service, dedication, and impact on the community. As speakers remembered his bravery and accomplishments, the message was clear: K9 Lark was more than a working dog—he was a partner, protector, and hero.