A police officer in Tennessee showed what true compassion looks like when he found an injured dog on the side of the road.
Officer Samuel Lopez with the Murfreesboro Police Department got a call on September 30 about a loose animal. When he arrived, he found an injured dog lying on the side of the road.
The poor thing was scared and all alone. Most people would have called animal control and moved on to the next call. But Lopez didn’t do that. He stayed right there with that dog for almost two hours.
Lopez took out his own lunch and spoon-fed the injured animal. He gave the dog water from his thermal bottle. He just sat there and made sure the dog felt safe and cared for.
There’s a reason Lopez has such a big heart for dogs. He and his wife can’t have children. That painful reality has shaped how he sees animals.
To Lopez, dogs aren’t just pets. They’re family. His actions that morning gave real meaning to the saying “man’s best friend.”
The City of Murfreesboro shared his story and said, “This is what public service looks like — empathy, patience, and heart. Thank you, Officer Lopez, for going above and beyond.” PAWS arranged for a vet to check the dog and they’re trying to find the owner.
Lopez shows us what it means to serve with a loving heart. He could have done the minimum and left. Instead, he gave his time, his food, and his compassion to a creature that couldn’t even thank him. That’s the kind of love God calls us to show.
May we all be willing to stop and care for those who need us most.
WATCH: Officer Cares for Injured Dog in Heartwarming Video
