A local Boy Scout has built a memorial for Northampton Borough Police Department’s beloved K-9 Zoro, who died in April 2015.

Zachary Vilkauskas is a 16-year-old junior at Northampton Area High School. He enjoys hunting, the outdoors and, most of all, Boy Scouting. Zachary has been involved in Scouts since second grade and has spent a majority of his life dedicated to it. He is a member of Troop 242 in Cherryville and is just two badges shy of the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement attainable in the Boy Scouts of America program.

A few months ago, Zachary read a story in the Northampton Press about Zoro, a retired K-9 who had recently passed away. He knew how much Zoro and his handler, Northampton Borough Police Officer John Mullner, had done for the community and decided it would be a nice idea to make a memorial in Zoro’s honor.

So Zachary put together a presentation for Northampton Borough Council members and attended one of their meetings. The council agreed it was a great idea and gave him permission to get started on the project.

Zachary hosted a bake sale as well as a fundraiser at a local Friendly’s.

“A lot of people from the borough council, borough road crew and police department were there helping to support me, which I thought was awesome,” Zachary said. “I had also received many donations from family, friends and some businesses, and in total, I raised $1,066.75.”

The money was put to use quickly as Zachary was determined to get the job done right.

“I want to thank the borough and police department for supporting me right from the start of my project. The borough road crew helped a lot with bringing in the rock for me and giving me stones and mulch for the ground cover and also digging out the area around the rock and tree,” Zachary said. “They were always willing to help me whenever I asked.

“I also want to thank all of the Scouts and leaders that helped me with the physical work that went into getting the project done. The day we did the work, it was real hot, and five of my friends who are in the troop and six adults came out and helped. We worked five or six hours that day. Everyone was a big help, and we got the job done together!”

For those interested in visiting, the memorial is located on Smith Lane right next to Northampton Borough Police Department. There is a bench for people to sit and reflect, and the memorial will be a fixture for onlookers to enjoy for years to come.

“I think the community likes the memorial,” Zachary said. “One day I went down to check on the plants and water them, and there was a small blue star crystal that someone had left on the rock right above the plaque. I thought that was kind of neat that someone would leave something there for Zoro.”