MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) — A Murfreesboro police officer is being recognized for an act of compassion that turned a routine animal call into a powerful reminder of empathy in public service.
On the morning of September 30, Officer Samuel Lopez responded to a call about a loose animal. What he found was heartbreaking: a frightened, injured dog lying alone on the side of the road.
Rather than simply waiting for animal control, Officer Lopez stayed with the animal — for nearly two hours. According to the City of Murfreesboro, he gently spoon-fed the dog using his own lunch and gave it water from his thermal bottle…