October 9, 2026 —  For Sgt. Alex Hicks, the most rewarding part of serving Cobb schools is seeing the students he works to protect grow up. A connection that begins in elementary school can continue through middle school and into high school. Those everyday relationships give purpose to the hours Hicks spends selecting dogs, training handlers, and strengthening the Cobb County School District Police Department’s K-9 program.

“I think this is the best job in law enforcement, where you get to see the impact you make every day,” Hicks said. 

During Public Safety Appreciation Week, Hicks’ contributions highlight the behind-the-scenes work that helps keep Cobb schools safe. From evaluating prospective canine partners to supervising officers, Hicks’ responsibilities serve a common purpose: helping students and staff focus on learning.

Hicks joined the district in 2019 and was selected to become a K-9 handler in early 2020. The District's program has grown from two dogs when he arrived to 20, with a K-9 assigned to every high school and five additional dogs approved to serve middle schools.

That growth reflects a layered, comprehensive school safety strategy through Cobb Shield. 

Having more canine teams allows officers to devote more consistent attention to their assigned schools. Building that capacity takes careful preparation. Over the past year, Hicks oversaw the purchase of 17 dogs for the K-9 program. He traveled many miles to observe and test dogs before recommending those best suited to the district’s needs. 

Selecting the people who work alongside those dogs is equally important. Handlers take on responsibilities that extend beyond the school day, including ongoing care and training. Hicks oversaw the selection process for new handlers and was instrumental in selecting four new K-9 handlers and trainers. He also coordinates with master trainers to provide six weeks of extensive training for new dogs and their handlers, helping prepare each team for its work in Cobb schools. 

Hicks credits the district’s support with giving officers the resources and training to meet those expectations.

“We have never had to stress about any sort of equipment or training,” he said. “Just that support to help us do our jobs to the best of our ability.” 

His own leadership responsibilities have grown alongside the program. After completing the application and testing process, Hicks was promoted to sergeant in December 2025. In addition to supervising the K-9 program, he oversees 14 officers and serves as a team leader on the Police Department’s District Response Team, which responds to critical incidents at schools and other district facilities. 

Those duties require preparation for difficult situations, but Hicks values the positive interactions that school policing makes possible each day. Working with students gives officers opportunities to build trust, strengthen relationships, and see the impact of their service firsthand. That commitment to helping others also extends beyond campus. 

A Commitment to Care Beyond Cobb Schools

When one dog, Yogi, did not meet Cobb's K-9 program’s standards, Hicks recognized another way the dog could serve. With the district’s support, he trained Yogi to help a nearby family’s 10-year-old daughter, who has diabetes. 

Because Yogi was donated, finding him a new purpose came at no cost to the district—just an investment of Sgt. Hicks’s time and care. Hicks trained Yogi to alert the 10-year-old when her blood sugar moved outside an acceptable range and helped her learn how to work with her new companion.

Hicks brought the dog into his home for training and worked with the girl to help her learn how to respond to her new companion. At the time of the interview, he reported that Yogi had made more than 10 live alerts.

“I feel so lucky that we were able to provide that to that family,” Hicks said. 

Whether he is preparing a new canine team, supporting the officers under his command, or helping a family, Hicks brings the same commitment to the work: investing the time and care it takes to serve the people who depend on him. For Cobb schools, that commitment means more trained teams, stronger support for campuses, and a sergeant who understands that school safety begins with students at its center.

Join us in thanking Sgt. Hicks and the entire Cobb County School District Police Department for their continued dedication and service to our schools, students, staff, and community!