09/29/2025
# # # 🐾 In Loving Memory — K9 Officer Ambroos (2019–2025) 🐾-C.A.H.S. MEDIA
Today we honor the life and service of **K9 Officer Ambroos**, Connellsville’s beloved K-9, whose courage, loyalty, and quiet bravery protected our community and inspired countless children, neighbors, and fellow first responders.
**How it began**
Ambroos came to Connellsville in 2019 as the heart of a renewed K-9 program. Purchased through a grant and community fundraising efforts, he was brought to the department thanks in large part to a grant from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation and local donations — a grassroots effort that brought the city its first K-9 in decades. From day one, Ambroos and his handler — Cpl. Tyler (J. Tyler) Garlick — built a partnership that would define both of their careers. ([WPXI])
**Sworn in and trained**
Ambroos was officially sworn in during a public ceremony in fall 2019, a proud moment for the city and the families who supported the program. Officer Garlick trained with Ambroos daily — building skills in narcotics detection, tracking, evidence searches, and non-bite patrol work — and the two quickly became a consistent, trusted team.
His swearing-in was a moment that captured his spirit from the very beginning.
Garlick remembered the swearing-in with a laugh: “Ambroos is not a vocal dog, but he barked the whole time the mayor was reading his oath almost as if he was repeating the words.”
He also reflected on Ambroos’s steady development: “He’s just become really consistent and my trust of him is growing.” ([Herald-Standard])
**Operational role and major duties**
Over the years, Ambroos proved himself to be so much more than just a police dog. He became a symbol of service, loyalty, and love in Connellsville.
As a dual-purpose K-9, Ambroos’s duties included:
* **Narcotics detection** — assisting in searches that led to removing illegal drugs from our neighborhoods and evidence for investigations.
* **Tracking & suspect location** — following trails to locate fleeing subjects or to assist in locating people reported missing.
* **Scene support** — helping in critical incidents, such as tracking a suspect after a report of a suspicious/fake explosive device and supporting allied agencies across Fayette County.
The department and mayor credited Ambroos with being a powerful deterrent and an asset in many investigations. ([WPXI])
But his impact stretched far beyond his official responsibilities.
**Community ambassador & school visits**
Ambroos was more than an enforcement tool — he was a teacher and ambassador. He and Officer Garlick frequently visited schools across Connellsville and parts of Fayette County to teach kids what K-9 officers do, how dogs train, and why safety and trust matter. Those school visits were highlights for many students who later wore “K9 Ambroos” shirts and told stories of meeting their “favorite officer.” Those visits inspired respect, curiosity, and joy — sparking conversations about safety, responsibility, and community. Ambroos had a gift for connecting with people, from children to seniors, showing that police dogs are not just guardians but also friends.
Garlick often noted how meaningful the outreach was and how supported the K-9 program has been by residents and local groups. ([Herald-Standard])
**Training, facilities, and community support**
The city and supporters worked to give Ambroos a place to stay sharp. Plans and community efforts for a K-9 training area — including an obstacle course and public demonstrations at Wood-Ruff Dog Park — allowed Ambroos to train openly and showed residents the professionalism behind the K-9 program.
Ambroos’s journey was made possible thanks to the generosity of the community that loved him. As Officer Garlick publicly thanked the community for making the program possible:
“Our program is funded wholly through donations and grants and our own fundraiser opportunities. We don’t influence the police or city budget at all. I’m super happy to be able to have our K-9 and be able to use him to serve Connellsville and the surrounding areas.” ([Herald-Standard])
From training exercises to patrols, from community events to fundraisers, from classrooms to crime scenes, Ambroos served with honor every single day. Alongside Officer Garlick, he became a familiar sight on the streets of Connellsville — a presence that reassured citizens and reminded us all of the dedication behind the badge.
**Memorable calls & impacts**
Over the years, Ambroos took part in many important calls:
* Several narcotics investigations where he located evidence and contributed to arrests.
* Tracking assignments involving missing persons that helped investigators piece together movements and timelines.
* Support during potentially dangerous scenes, where his presence and training reduced risk to officers and civilians. Local coverage repeatedly noted his role in removing drugs and locating wanted suspects. ([WTAE])
**The end of duty & final ride**
In early 2025 Ambroos was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. The department kept his quality of life the priority; when suffering became inevitable he was retired from active duty on **March 24, 2025**. The community and the department arranged a final public procession — Ambroos’s **last ride** — on **March 29, 2025**, the time came for Ambroos’s final ride, the community he served so well lined the streets in gratitude and respect. It was a powerful farewell to a hero who gave his all as the community paid their respects to the beloved K-9 officer. Following the procession, Fayette County dispatchers honored him over the emergency radio with a final call: *“You are now free of duty.”* Ambroos was then laid to rest peacefully at the veterinarian surrounded by those who loved him. The mayor, department, and community all expressed deep sorrow and gratitude for his service. ([CBS News])
**Words from those who served with him**
Officer Garlick and others shared memories that show the depth of Ambroos’s contribution:
> “It’s been really cool to see him work and see him be an asset in investigations.”
> “He is a major asset to our department and our community.”
> “Our program is funded wholly through donations and grants and our own fundraiser opportunities... I’m super happy to be able to have our K-9 and be able to use him to serve Connellsville and the surrounding areas.”
> Those quotes reflect the pride Garlick and the city felt — not just for the results Ambroos produced, but also for the bond he formed with people across the community. ([Herald-Standard])
**Legacy**
Ambroos leaves behind a model of what community policing can be: a program built by residents, led by committed officers, and centered on a dog who was equally family, a partner, a protector and a friend. He and Officer Garlick showed the city the value of teamwork, outreach, and compassion.
Ambroos’s story is one of loyalty, courage, and connection. His pawprints will remain forever on the hearts of Officer Garlick, the Connellsville Police Department, and the community he served.
We remember Ambroos for his bravery, his gentle way with children during school visits, and his steadfast loyalty to those he served.
**Rest easy, Ambroos. Thank you for your service. You are forever in our hearts.** 🖤💙🐾
📚 **Sources & References**
* *Herald-Standard* — “Connellsville K-9 sworn in” (Oct 2019)
* *Herald-Standard* — “Roethlisberger grant will help CPD grow K-9 program” (Feb 2020)
* *Herald-Standard* — “Donations continue to fund CPD K-9 program” (Aug 2020)
* *Herald-Standard* — “Connellsville considers dog park to help K-9 unit” (Aug 2020)
* *TribLIVE* — “Community says goodbye to Connellsville police K-9 Ambroos” (Mar 2025)
* *WPXI* — “Connellsville community lines city streets for K9 Ambroos’s last ride” (Mar 2025)
Photo Credit: Connellsville Police K9 Unit
