Vestavia Hills police have released the name of one of their own who died Wednesday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"Officer Robert 'Bobby' Hancock's tour of duty ended yesterday,'' according to a post on the department's Facebook page. "Bobby loved serving as a police officer and was loved by each of us at VHPD. He will forever be missed by all who knew him."

Hancock, 47, previously worked for the Tuscaloosa Police Department and the Bessemer Police Department. He left Bessemer in 2013 to join the Vestavia Hills Police Department.

Hancock took his own life about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday behind a strip of shops on U.S. 31 where his wife owns a barber shop. The barber shop remains closed today.

The officer was rushed to UAB Hospital with a police escort. Birmingham and Homewood officers cleared traffic and blocked intersections for faster travel. More than a half dozen Vestavia and Birmingham officers escorted Hancock's stretcher into the emergency room, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

"We ask for community's continued prayers for Bobby's family, friends and colleagues,'' according to the department's statement. "We also ask that everyone respect the family's privacy during this difficult time."

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 11 a.m. at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church with visitation following.