Our hearts were broken yesterday as we said goodbye to K-9 Pantera “Ace,” a faithful partner, protector, and beloved member of the Lakeland Police Department family.
Ace recently suffered an unexpected medical event, and despite the best efforts of medical professionals, his health declined rapidly. We are grateful to the the incredible team at New Life Veterinary Hospital who cared for him with compassion during his final days.
Raised by Officer Vanderpool from a puppy, Ace’s journey began in sport and competition before he answered the call to serve his community. In June 2022, Officer Vanderpool and Ace officially became a Lakeland Police K-9 team, forging a partnership built on loyalty and trust.
During his distinguished service, Ace completed 54 narcotics deployments, leading to 31 seizures and 19 drug arrests. On patrol, he responded to 375 calls for service, contributing to 138 arrests and 6 apprehensions. His work helped make our community safer, and his impact will never be forgotten…