Police Officer Rescues Dog Trapped for 5 Days

The area was very rocky, and Sampson was trapped in the rocks, unable to get out on its own. It appears the dog had been trapped down there for several days.

Sampson is a 5-year-old lab mix.

(CLACKAMAS) - Earlier today, Damascus Police Officer Jerry Rippe rescued a trapped dog named Sampson -- a 5-year-old lab mix -- near Carver.

The ravine

Greg Herbst, Sampson's owner, said the dog had gone missing on New Year's Day. Herbst had been looking for Sampson daily around the property of his home. Flyers were created and a post on Facebook was made to alert others about the missing dog.

Officer Rippe was discussing that Facebook post with Sampson's family on Monday, January 6, 2014 when he heard a call on his police radio about a man who had located a trapped dog.

The man had reportedly heard a dog whimpering in the woods near The Stone Cliff Inn Restaurant in Carver.

Officer Rippe responded to the area, and located the dog -- Sampson -- about 6 feet down a small ravine.

The area was very rocky, and Sampson was trapped in the rocks, unable to get out on its own. It appears the dog had been trapped down there for several days.

Deputy Rippe took off his patrol gear, donned a helmet and knee pads, and climbed down to make the rescue.

"It feels really good to get the dog back to its owner," said Officer Rippe.

Sampson is now happy and home with his owner.

Three Clackamas County cities -- Damascus, Happy Valley, and Wilsonville -- contract with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office to provide municipal police services.