MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A Cordova woman is happy for the man she calls her guardian angel. Nichole Mintz says her nine year old daughter is alive only because of the actions of Memphis Police Officer Mike Roseberry.
Roseberry shot and killed a German Shepherd dog attacking the little girl on Halloween. What he got for his actions was a written reprimand by the brass.
It could have been a lot worse. In fact on April 17, Officer Roseberry will receive a reward for how his quick actions saved little Chloe Mintz.
Nichole Mintz wasn't worried on that Halloween night last year when taking her children out for the traditional door to door candy hunt in her quiet Cordova neighborhood. Especially since she was with her neighbor, Memphis Police Officer Mike Roseberry.
"We came out of my yard to go trick or treating. I said are you packing? He said yes. And I said why? It's just so quiet here. He said you just never know."
Four houses away, Nichole Mintz found out what Officer Roseberry meant. A 120 pound German Shepherd got loose and started mauling her nine year old daughter. Roseberry took his personal handgun out and shot and killed the dog.
"He not only saved the life of my daughter but the other kids all were in the yard walking around and me too. I fell on my face. Had the dog gotten loose he would have gotten the other children and me."
Mike Roseberry was off duty that night, but off duty police are never really off duty.
At midnight on March 15, Roseberry had an administrative hearing. He was written up; it was just a formal reprimand, not a big deal
But still, Mike Williams of the Memphis Police Association says he doesn't think it should have happened.
"I understand why he was charged because he did not use his duty weapon, and he wasn't qualified on the weapon he actually used. If we're going to use any secondary weapons, you're given the opportunity to qualify with those weapons when you qualify with your duty weapon."
Officer Mike Roseberry told abc24.com he is relieved that he only received a write up, but still doesn't really want to talk about what happened.
Nichole Mintz hopes her little girl Chloe will be able to accept the award on behalf of the man who saved her life.
