On April 1, 2025, at 10:32 p.m., the WEST COMM Dispatch Center received a 9-1-1 call from a woman reporting possible squirrels that had entered her apartment and requested assistance. WSPD Corporal Will Poarch and Officer Haley Buck responded, in addition to personnel from the Fire Department.
As officers assessed the situation, they located the first squirrel under a blanket in the master hallway. After safely rescuing the first squirrel, Corporal Poarch released the furry animal outside near a tree where the animal ran off. Officer Buck, upon checking the rest of the apartment, became startled when she opened the bathroom door, and two squirrels ran from behind the toilet. After a brief scream, Corporal Poarch was delegated to save the day again. He was able to enter the restroom, safely trap both squirrels, and with the help of the Fire Department, release both to the wild.
“You never know what call you may end up responding to, however, we are thankful that we could assist in restoring peace to this woman’s apartment,” said Chief of Police Christopher Cook. “I personally spoke to the woman, and she wanted to express her sincere gratitude for our first responders who helped save the day and return these animals back the wild. It had a great ending where these three squirrels were returned to their natural habitat.”
Video Link of Body-Worn Camera Footage from Officer Haley Buck: https://youtu.be/hyStEfoOzho
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