So many unique experiences round out every law enforcement officer’s duty days throughout years of public safety service. A cop career is undeniably a strange animal in terms of a profession…and it is also chock full of stories of animal rescue. Given that most law enforcement officers spend most of their time out on the highways and byways, it stands to reason that police officers come across things others may not even notice. Astutely aware and laden with keen senses, cops are always in the front seat facing life and everything unfolding in society—as if nature intended this design.
On Wednesday, Connecticut State Police Trooper Bryan Fahey was in such a driver’s seat, as a cop whose eyes were peeled. And his retinas locked on a distressed wildlife creature needing salvation and rehab recourse.
You see, a Barred Owl had somehow managed to tease flying in the perilous proximity of Interstate 95. It didn’t go so well. The owl was struck and downed by a vehicle traveling at significant interstate-classed velocity. (Bear in mind that most aviary species have hollow bones.)
It made the news…thanks to a state policeman’s dutiful deed.
Kudos to a local news affiliate for seeing beyond the mound of an election mess and having the insights to air a pro-police story about nature’s way of seeing the good in varying species, especially when they come together and score wins.
On Thursday, WFSB- Channel 3 Eyewitness News broadcast the organic meeting of Trooper Fahey and the battered Barred Owl…to enormous acclaim. The news studio anchors got understandably bubbly. Of course, owl jokes flew (much like what we did with the title above), but the core take away is that cops are out there mitigating whatever comes their way, whether wild or docile.
On a news station segment WFSB calls the “The Bright Spot,” this chance meeting aptly hit many bright spots when it depicted Trooper Fahey with the animal perched against his police uniform insulated by ballistic properties, both seated in the sanctuary of a Connecticut State Police cruiser. Although it is said the eyes are the portal to the soul, this badly injured owl’s closed eyes somehow project a soulful expression of gratitude and the all-knowing feat that it fortuitously “landed” in the right hands (lap)…and not a moment too soon.
Often, I weave within my writing the omnipresence of vast resources among our police professionals out there answering calls or simply patrolling until they happen upon anyone in seeming need. In this case, the battered owl happened to find itself in the cradled arms of a state trooper who knew exactly who to call to assure the wildlife mishap would be addressed and the owl given optimal care toward hopeful rehabilitation.
Trooper Fahey notified a non-profit wildlife rescue organization whose staff saddled up and hit the road to retrieve the owl. As seen in the image above, Trooper Fahey is equipped not only with wherewithal but also one of those specially made gloves used to handle wildlife which may nip out of sheer fear of the unknown. Seems this owl somehow recognized it was in the hands of the good guys and safe within the sanctuary of a squad car, resting easy until animal rescue personnel and a veterinarian could administer stellar care.
With expertise in such matters, staff from A Place Called Hope mobilized, met Trooper Fahey at an I-95 roadside location near Guilford, took possession of the injured bird of prey, boarded it, and drove it back to their animal rescue facility.
The intake report from the animal rescue hospital provided a cursory glance at an animal clinging to life, but a life well saved by a state trooper whose eyes were peeled (owl-like) and patience in the right place. Per A Place Called Hope…”Barred is suffering from a head trauma. No broken bones but his pain and struggle are real. The first few days are critical to his recovery. This trooper kept him safe from highway traffic. Thank you, Trooper, for waiting for our rescuers to arrive.”
Interestingly, this expose’ provides the essence of police on road patrol and all the myriad attendance they offer when need arises, often in an instant.
Working together with other entities represented in the community, cops are vital conduits for resolve. In this case, Trooper Fahey and animal experts with A Place Called Hope united on behalf of a beautiful creature.
Although law enforcement officers are often referred to as ambassadors on behalf of a community, A Place Called Hope bills itself similarly, with one noteworthy exception: They are “wildlife rehabilitators” possessing State and Federal permits to care for birds of prey. “Our goal is to rescue, rehabilitate and release each bird back into the wild whenever possible.”
But some injured birds are deemed ill-suited and therefore too vulnerable to survive in the wild. Sworn wildlife officers all across the nation come upon such dire matters in their respective jurisdictions and take overly challenged species to animal rescue centers where veterinarians do their darndest to provide injured species a decent chance at sustenance, even if that means living out the remainder of years at the facility.
In an update provided on the animal rescue site, seems another owl was also maligned by a passing vehicle and rescued: “Two Barred Owls admitted this morning [one thanks to the efforts by Trooper Fahey], both struck by vehicles,” [in such circumstances the owls are] often suffering from head trauma, broken bones and internal bleeding.”
(Photo courtesy of A Place Called Hope.)
A Place Called Hope has a program whereby birds of prey categorized as permanently disabled are situated with hospitality to gauge a “bird’s disposition” to being in the care of humans via the “special permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife” authorities “to house and train each bird to become a part of our Educational Department.” The saved birds “take on a new role as ambassadors of their particular species telling their own personal stories of survival.”
Trooper Fahey’s actions served as a gateway for this particular bird of prey to find a home away from home…and time will tell if the owl is freed/returned to its natural habitat or elevated to being an ambassador at A Place Called Home. Either way, both are made possible because of a cop being exactly where nature positioned him.
Cops and animals…sometimes in the right place at the right time, together.
I have always found it to be evincingly true that compassion and valuation of life on our planet is best measured by how we treat animals. Fair to say this Barred Owl was remarkably pulled from the brink by a cop who earned his own set of special wings.
In closing, our friends at the Connecticut State Police – Recruitment & Selection division provided a picture of the actual Barred Owl (whose name ought to be “Trooper”) saved by a rightly-placed wingman, Trooper Fahey, and harbored in the safe confines of a Connecticut Police cruiser:
