Good Dog, Ace! After Serving 8 Years, Beloved Police K9 Retiring

EAST HAVEN, CT — After serving for eight years, East Haven Police Department K9 Ace is retiring. He's had quite the run. The enigmatic Ace has delighted young and old alike with his skills, scaling and jumping fences for elementary school kids, and with his personality and being an all-around good boy for the elderly in care homes. It's doubtful he's delighted anyone he's alerted on, tracked or caught.

In March 2022, Patch spent time with EHPD K9 Ace and his partner/handler, Officer Kevin McGuire. That day, Ace and McGuire stopped at Whispering Pines Rehabilitation and Nursing Center where he's been a frequent visitor. Before a rapt audience, Ace did demonstrations and McGuire spoke about the value of a K9 in the community. And shared more about the dog he called partner and friend.

When Ace first arrived in East Haven to join the police department in 2016, it was the folks at Whispering Pines who donated to his care.

During a Q&A with folks, McGuire answered that he feeds Ace, "raw meat." And, noted how Ace knows when he's on the job versus when it's downtime. McGuire said that when he arrives home with Ace, yes, Ace lives with McGuire and his family, off comes his collar and chain, and Ace knows the workday has ended, and he can relax and just be a dog.

"When he's got that collar on and (gets into the K9 cop car), he knows he's going to work."

Beyond doing good things in the community, Ace is also a minor celeb. His Instagram page has more than 1,100 followers. McGuire set the page up in 2017 and has since shared countless photos of K9 Ace at work and play.

Happy trails, Ace!

Thursday, the East Haven Police Department will honor K9 Ace, and McGuire, in the dog's retirement ceremony.

"K9 Ace has been a steadfast partner to officer Kevin Maguire throughout his storied tenure," police wrote on the invite announcing the ceremony. "Now he’s looking forward to leisurely walks, fun games of fetch, and plenty of well-deserved relaxing naps."

The retirement ceremony for K9 Ace is Thursday at 11 a.m., on the East Haven Police Department's front lawn and K9 Memorial, located at 471 North High St.