After rescuing him from drowning from thin ice on Valentine’s Day, Sgt. Gaylon Music reunited with Shadow in the warmth of Southlake Police Headquarters on Monday afternoon.
On Sunday, February 14, Southlake Police received a call that a black Labrador named Shadow fell through a thin layer of ice into the pond at White’s Chapel United Methodist Church. When Sgt. Gaylon Music got there, Shadow had been in the water for more than 15 minutes and was waiting for a ladder truck.
“He wasn’t going to last much longer,” Sgt. Music says. “I decided to go in and try and get to him. I couldn’t just sit there and let that dog drown. I was gonna try and save him, even if there wasn’t anything I could do.”
Sgt. Music says he plunged into the -4-degree water up to his chest and started wading toward Shadow while fastened onto a harness. When Shadow’s owner hopped onto a pool float and swam towards him, Sgt. Music extended a pole towards Shadow and his owner and pulled them both to safety after they grabbed on.
“The dog collapsed right after we got him out,” Sgt. Music says. “He couldn’t even stand up.”
A week later, Shadow and his family paid Sgt. Music a visit at Southlake Police headquarters. Sgt. Music said Shadow was wagging his tail and licking him the whole time he was there.
“I think he might have remembered me,” Sgt. Music chuckles. “It was great to see him and meet the family under a different circumstance.”
In addition to Shadow and his family’s gratitude, the Southlake Police Department was also recognized by PETA with its Compassionate Police Department Award for its daring rescue.
“This dog could easily have drowned in frigid water or died of hypothermia if it weren’t for the kindness and swift action of the Southlake Department of Public Safety,” PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien says in a press release. “PETA hopes this happy ending inspires everyone to look out for animals in need, especially during dangerous inclement weather.”
The department will receive a framed certificate, a letter and boxes of vegan cookies for its efforts, according to the release. But Sgt. Music is just glad Shadow is back safe and warm with his family.
“It wasn’t just me,” Sgt. Music says. “It was a team effort. I’m glad Shadow is back where he belongs.”