Salisbury Police Add K-9 Mike to Force

The dog, named for a fallen Greensboro officer, completed three weeks of intensive training with his handler, Officer M. Smith.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Photo-style scene of a quiet training yard with a leather leash on a bench, an agility tunnel, and a red-brick building under oak trees. — Salisbury Police added K-9 Mike, named for fallen Greensboro Officer Michael Horan, after three weeks of explosive-detection and tracking training with Officer M. Smith. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Salisbury Police Department has added K-9 Mike to its ranks. The dog is named in honor of Greensboro Police Officer Michael Horan, who died in the line of duty on December 23, 2024.

Why it matters

K-9 Mike adds a trained explosive detection, article search and tracking resource to Salisbury's police operations. The Salisbury NC Police Foundation provided the financial support that made the addition possible.

K-9 Mike and Officer M. Smith completed three weeks of intensive training focused on explosive detection, article searches and tracking. The source does not report the cost of the K-9 unit or the total number of department K-9s.

The players

Salisbury Police Department

The municipal law enforcement agency serving Salisbury, North Carolina, which added K-9 Mike to its force.

Salisbury NC Police Foundation

The nonprofit foundation that supports the Salisbury Police Department and provided the financial support for the K-9 addition.

The details

K-9 Mike and his handler, Officer M. Smith, completed three weeks of intensive training focused on explosive detection, article searches and tracking. The Salisbury NC Police Foundation provided financial support that made the K-9 addition possible.

December 23, 2024: Greensboro Police Officer Michael Horan died in the line of duty, the officer for whom K-9 Mike is named.
November 6, 2026: The Salisbury Police Department announced K-9 Mike's addition to its ranks.

Legal Context

Naming police dogs after officers killed in the line of duty is a tradition that memorializes fallen officers through an active working role on the force. K-9 Mike follows that pattern, joining Salisbury's department in honor of Michael Horan, who died in Greensboro.

Salisbury residents may see K-9 Mike and Officer Smith working in the community as the department relies on the dog for explosive detection, article searches and tracking. The added capability aims to support public safety across the city.

The takeaway

Specialized police canines like K-9 Mike extend an officer's capabilities in detection and tracking. Community-supported funding, as shown by the Salisbury NC Police Foundation, can make such units possible.