The York County Sheriff’s Office on Monday confirmed the identity of the K-9 lieutenant who was one of two police officers hospitalized after the deadly mass police shooting in North Codorus Township last week.
Lt. David Godfrey, a 24-year veteran of the York County Sheriff’s Office, who oversees the department’s K-9 unit, was injured during the Sept. 17 shooting around 2 p.m. at a home on Haar Road, according to Ted Czech, the York County public information officer.
Godfrey was assisting Northern York County Regional police with drone surveillance when they were attempting to serve an arrest warrant to Matthew Ruth, 24, for stalking and other charges on Wednesday afternoon, which was when Ruth opened fire on the officers.
During the shooting, Godfrey exchanged gunfire with Ruth and sustained critical injuries, Czech said.
The shooting killed three officers and left Godfrey and another unidentified officer in critical condition for about two days. Both are now in satisfactory condition, officials say.
Ruth died during the gunfight.
Czech said Godfrey serves as the Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Lieutenant, overseeing the Drone Unit, Community Services, Project Lifesaver, and the office’s social media platforms.
He is also a certified “Master Trainer” through the National Association of Professional Canine Handlers and formerly served as the handler for K9 Captain Dargo, who died last year. In a July 2024 Facebook post honoring Dargo’s memory, the department called the two a “dynamic duo” and a “perfect match.”
The duo responded to more than 800 service calls, including explosive detection and tracking missions tied to missing people, fugitives and conducting article searches.
Throughout his career, Godfrey has received numerous honors, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Commendable Service Award, and Community Service Award, among others.
Godfrey and K9 Dargo played a significant role in public safety education through school visits and community demonstrations.
Several people who identified themselves as family members of Godfrey posted on Facebook on Thursday, asking for prayers for him.
In a statement, the Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support: “The York County Sheriff’s Office is deeply moved by the outpouring of support from our community and across the Commonwealth,” the office said in a statement. “We also stand in solidarity with the Northern York County Regional Police Department who have also been affected by this tragedy. We thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
York County District Attorney Tim Barker on Thursday released the names of the three officers who died during the ambush: Sgt. Isaiah Emenheiser, Det. Sgt. Cody Becker and Det. Mark Baker. All were members of the Northern York County Regional Police force.
The shooting is among the deadliest attacks on law enforcement that have taken place nationally.