Hoover Police Department Mourns K-9 Officer Ace

The dedicated narcotics detection dog, who served alongside Officer Kevin Hollis at Spain Park High School, has died.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting a minimalist geometric school building silhouette, evoking a sense of solemnity and institutional remembrance. — The Hoover Police Department is mourning the loss of Ace, a dedicated K-9 narcotics detection dog who served at Spain Park High School. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Hoover Police Department confirmed the passing of K-9 officer Ace on Saturday morning. Ace was a long-serving member of the School Resource Division who specialized in narcotics detection.

Why it matters

Ace served as a vital partner to School Resource Officer Kevin Hollis and provided specialized safety support to the Spain Park High School community for several years. The loss marks a significant transition for the department's School Resource Division.

K-9 officer Ace joined the Hoover Police Department in August 2018 and served until his passing in October 2026. The department has not disclosed the cause of death for the narcotics detection dog.

The players

Ace

He was a K-9 officer with the Hoover Police Department who specialized in narcotics detection.

Kevin Hollis

He is a School Resource Officer who served as the partner to K-9 officer Ace.

Hoover Police Department

This is the law enforcement agency responsible for public safety and the K-9 program in Hoover, Alabama.

The details

Ace was an integral part of the School Resource Division, where he worked closely with School Resource Officer Kevin Hollis. His primary duty involved performing narcotics detection tasks while based at Spain Park High School.

Ace joined the Hoover Police Department in August 2018.
The K-9 officer died on the morning of Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Legal Context

The death of a specialized K-9 unit follows national trends regarding the integration of narcotics detection within school security protocols. Such deployments remain subject to the operational guidelines set by the National Association of School Resource Officers.

Residents in the Spain Park High School area may notice a temporary reduction in specialized K-9 presence during school hours. The department is expected to provide updates regarding future K-9 assignments within the school resource division.

The takeaway

The passing of a K-9 officer is a significant moment for both the department and the students who interacted with the dog daily. Departments often use these moments to honor the commitment of working animals and their human handlers.