FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF News) – A Fort Worth police officer’s retired search and rescue dog has been nominated for the American Humane Dog Awards and the department needs the public to help him win.
The 11-year-old German Shepard was nominated for the Search and Rescue category for saving the life an elderly man suffering from dementia from drowning in the Trinity River in April of 2016.
Officer Cole Brock said despite having been retired for three years, Luca quickly sprang into action as soon as he picked up the missing man’s scent.
“The bank was too treacherous for some of the officers. Luca kept insisting something is down there…that someone is there…you need to listen to me. We utilized our police helicopter and did a fly over where Luca said and we found the man across the bank,” he said.
After the heroic rescue that day, Brock said he’ll never forget the ride home with Luca.
“It was like a scorned ex. He wouldn’t make eye contact with me. He just looked straight ahead the entire time. He just had the I told you so attitude about him. I don’t think he talked to me all weekend. Finally, about Monday, he kind of came back to his normal self. It was like he was arrogant he was just like…I can only can tell you this so many ways guys…I told you so,” he said.
If Luca wins his category, he will be flown to Hollywood for a star-studded awards gala, which will air on The Hallmark Channel this Fall.
You can vote for Luca at herodogawards.org/dog/luca until May 3.
Copyright 2017. WBAP/KLIF News. All Rights Reserved.