Retired Fargo K-9 Officer Passes Away

Fargo Police Department has lost a beloved former employee.

Koa, a retired K-9 officer at the department, passed away after declining health.

He began working with FPD in 2006 and retired in 2010 after suffering and injury.

After his retirement he was purchased from the department by his partner Sergeant VanLith.

Sergeant Mark Lykken says losing a dog is hard enough but when it’s not just your pet but also your long–time partner it can be especially hard.

“You’re spending your entire ten-hour shift with your dog and when you lose your dog whether it be on duty or Koa’s health just declined because of his age. It’s a crushing blow,” Lykken says.

Sergeant Lykken says Koa was always friendly, energetic, and loyal and will be greatly missed by everyone at FPD.