WPPD answers call to aid storm-damaged community

Van Zandt County residents are no strangers to the damage, devastation and after effects that can come from violent storms and tornados, having witnessed several incidents themselves over the past year.

The most notable example, a deadly tornado that devastated the city of Van May 10, 2015, rallied thousands from across the state and beyond to limit and cleanup damage, help those hurt or injured, and return a sense of normalcy to the community.

The Wills Point Police Department repaid some of that kindness and showed their willingness to help those in need in other similarly affected areas, answering a call by the Garland Police Department for help with disaster response following a Dec. 26 storm system that spawned multiple tornados in the region.

WPPD Chief Rob Powell recounted the effort in a Facebook post shortly after the incident, stating, “The night of the tornados that struck Sunnyvale, Garland and Rowlett, the Wills Point Police Department was requested to assist Garland Police Department with disaster response. I, along with officers JD Morris and Aaron Long responded. We were assigned to patrol the heavily destroyed residential area off Bobtown near Westlake Drive. Our assignment was simple.... protect the area from looters and report any human casualties.”

Powell continued, “We patrolled in our vehicles and on foot when we couldn't get through because of walls of debris. We remained vigilant watching and guarding what remained of the neighborhood. As our shift went from late night to early morning, we began to see more and more victims of the storm…pets. Dogs and cats were walking the neighborhood, looking for home. Looking for their families. Looking for safe haven.”

Shortly before 3 a.m. Dec. 27, Powell, Long and Morris were approached by a citizen who advised that a German Sheppard had been trapped under debris in a swimming pool a short distance away.

“Officer Morris and Officer Long responded to investigate and found the dog pinned by a broken tree, half in a pool and half out. Temperatures were dropping, the water was cold and the dog was scared and exhausted. I was called to assist. Every time we approached the dog, he growled and snapped. A call to the command post found that Animal Control was unavailable and no ETA was available as to when help would arrive,” recalled Powell. “So, three police officers, one citizen and a trapped, scared and hurting dog, half of his body submerged in cold water, are around a pool, surrounded by debris, in complete darkness. The dog didn't want to be touched and if able, would have attacked out of self-defense. We were assigned to protect human life and property. A decision was made. This German Shepherd with a collar on was a family member. Someone loved this dog. This dog was part of a family. This dog was living and breathing and wouldn't be much longer if left alone. So, we decided to help.”

Officers worked to calm the dog, pulling of debris from the pool and the surrounding deck area until they could free the trapped canine.

“While we were not able to get a leash on him to keep him from wandering away after being freed, the dog was going to live and hopefully be reunited with his family. I know people may think that dogs and cats are just property and when disaster strikes, they are second thought. But on that night, we realized that this dog was just as important if not more so, than all of the belongings that his family may have,” said Powell. “Did we risk ourselves for just a dog? Yes. And we'd do it again if needed.”

Powell’s post on Facebook received immediate traction, getting more than 175 shares and 340 likes as of press time. Thankfully, the story even received a happy ending with posts from the twin sister of Bear’s (the dog) owners sharing pictures and writing “My family would like to contact you and personally thank you and everyone involved in saving Bear. The owners are my twin sister and brother-in-law and they don't use Facebook but would love to call you if that is at all possible. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”