Almost two years to the day that John Meluch joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol in Canfield, the Trooper came to the rescue of an injured hawk.

On a rainy afternoon in January, Meluch found the bird standing along the edge of Interstate 76.

Parking his cruiser far enough away so as not to spook the hawk and his body camera recording, the Trooper walked up to the disabled animal, gingerly wrapping it in his jacket.

Meluch took the bird back to his cruiser, gently placing it in the back seat before taking it for treatment to the Birds in Flight Sanctuary in Canfield.

Meluch, who first reported for duty in Canfield on January 23, 2022, called the bird rescue, “One of the coolest experiences of my life.”

Birds in Flight Sanctuary provides rescue, rehabilitation, and medical care for sick, injured, and orphaned birds of prey and waterfowl.