After battling several health issues Falls Township Police K9 Zico passed away last month officials confirmed to Lower Bucks Source.
A follower of the publication’s Meta page in early August was the first to share about Zico’s passing which Lt Chris Clark confirmed days after receiving the initial tip.
Zico who was partnered with Falls Police Officer Thomas Lundquist since 2012 was a drug sniffing German Shepherd whose special olfactory senses were used in a number of high-value drug cases.
The tipster who contacted LBS cited concerns about drug dealers operating within the municipality openly and freely in light of Zico’s passing. The tipster said the police department kept Zico’s passing a secret from the public.
Clark in email exchanges with the publication did not directly address the opinion of the tipster. He said he was in touch with Lundquist in an attempt to facilitate an interview for the purpose of putting the story together.
Recently the quarterly Falls Township Newsletter was distributed to residents and made available online. It contained a story covering K-9 Officer Zico’s passing that readers can find at this link on page 4.
The full story is below in its entirety.
Officer Bids Farewell to Canine Partner
For eight years Zico seamlessly switched gears from a drug-sniffing canine officer to a beloved pet who loved chewing on his Kong toy and sneaking peanut butter from kids when his handler wasn’t within view.
Falls Police Officer Thomas Lundquist said goodbye to his German Shepherd partner recently. Despite battling health issues for the last year and a half of his life, Zico continued to patrol with Lundquist.
Prior to his death, Zico aided the Pennsylvania State Police in obtaining $100,000 worth of marijuana and $90,000 in cash. In another instance, Lundquist recalled how Zico nabbed a suspect who was rumored to have a gun – as he hid in thick grass. At the beginning of 2025, Lundquist was pursuing a suspect who allegedly stole a car. The suspect allegedly hit his vehicle and another vehicle before bailing on foot.
“Zico and I took off after the driver,” Lundquist recalled of how his four-legged partner caught the suspect. “He didn’t bite him. Because of our bond and connection, I called and he came to me.”
Lundquist joined the Falls Township Police Department in January 2007. He began working as a K-9 officer in June 2012. At the same time, Lundquist – and later Zico – became part of the SWAT team.
“He was right there with us,” Lundquist said. “Based off the calls, we determined what our role would be, on a perimeter team or if we’d be on a reaction entry team.”
More than just a partner, Zico was a pet for Lundquist and his family, regularly appearing in family pictures and prom photos.
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“I don’t allow my dogs or pets on furniture,” he said. “My step-kids allowed him on their bed. They spoiled him, giving him peanut butter. He’s just a puppy at home. He brings us his toy and wants to play. They loved him and probably gave him more human food than I know about.”
German Shepherds are widely recognized as highly intelligent dogs. Because of his smarts and training, Zico could easily transition from work to pet mode. Once he and Lundquist went home for the day and his collar and harness were off, Zico knew he was off duty.
“OK, we’re home now,” Lundquist said. “He did a pretty good job at turning it off, coming home and being a pet.”
Zico also joined Lundquist at several National Night Out events and other community events, demonstrating his impressive skillset.
“At the end of our day he was part of our family and part of our community,” Lundquist said. “Most people love dogs and love talking with people about dogs. I always had people approaching me and asking me about him.”