Memphis, TN Police Officers Save Man in Cypress Creek

A desperate cry for help pierced the rushing noise of floodwaters. A man was trapped in a raging current. He clung tightly to a weak tree branch. Fast water pulled at him with dangerous force. Officers knew every second counted.

Searching the Banks of Cypress Creek

The incident occurred on Saturday, July 25, 2026, around 6:45 PM. A citizen approached Officer Robert Sampson near Cypress Creek in Memphis, Tennessee. The scene was located near Chelsea Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee. The citizen reported a person trapped in a flooded ditch.

Officer Sampson heard calls for help while fulfilling his cop duty. "First thing I heard was somebody yell out, 'Help, help, help!'" Sampson said. "My first action was to run towards that direction." He quickly contacted dispatch for backup during the flood call. Officer Rigoberto Rodriguez responded to the dispatch help request immediately. "We heard it, so we immediately knew that we had to get there," Rodriguez said. "We had to try to rescue this man." "When we got there, obviously we started yelling out for him," Rodriguez added. "He started yelling back." The missing man was subject to a search for over three hours.

Reaching Through Swift Currents

Water in Cypress Creek moved at 30 to 40 mph. Officers could hear the man screaming in the dark current. However, they could not see him at first. Officers Cameron Campbell and Jason Smith joined the rescue effort. The team found the victim down an embankment near a bridge. He was holding onto a branch in the swift water.

Officer Rodriguez moved down the bank toward the creek. The strong current carried the trapped man further downstream. "Officer Rodriguez went down to the bank, one area," Officer Smith said. "And he floated to the next area." "So, we ran to the other side," Smith recalled. "Again, I was just following his lead." "I seen him grab a stick, I grabbed a stick," Smith explained. "And we were able to pull him up to the bank." Officers used a tree branch for the stick rescue. The man grabbed the branch firmly. Memphis police officers pulled him safely up the bank.

Teamwork Under Pressure

The successful water rescue inspired everyone on the scene. Strong police teamwork between officers and dispatchers saved a human life. Emergency Communications staff helped guide the Memphis search for three hours. Crump Station officers with the Memphis Police Department acted with quick thinking. Officer Rodriguez reflected on the life-saving outcome. "There was a job that needed to be done," Rodriguez said. "And I thank God and thank my partners," he added. "We were able to rescue that life."

Honoring Local First Responders

This life-saving event highlights the bravery of Memphis first responders. First responders protect their community through dedicated police work every day.

We stand in admiration of the officers and dispatchers who answer emergency calls. You can help sustain our mission when you donate to support police officers. To read more inspiring accounts of officers making a difference, visit our stories library.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do police officers prepare for fast-moving water rescues?

Police officers undergo specialized swift water rescue training to evaluate hazardous river currents effectively and safely. They practice physical reaching methods, throw bag deployments, anchor positioning, and bank maneuvers to pull individuals out of fast-moving streams during unexpected local flooding emergencies.

2. What equipment do officers use during an emergency creek water rescue?

Officers rely on personal flotation devices, throw ropes, and weighted harness lines during emergency water operations. When specialized gear is unavailable at the scene, officers quickly adapt surrounding items like sturdy tree branches to extend their physical reach across dangerous rushing water.

3. How do dispatch personnel assist officers during a floodwater rescue operation?

Emergency dispatchers track real-time victim sightings along moving waterways while directing field officers to key interception points. They maintain continuous radio communication to update responding patrol teams about changing downstream positions and ensure immediate operational coordination throughout the entire search area.

4. Why is fast-moving floodwater especially dangerous for trapped individuals?

Rushing floodwater generates intense hydraulic force that can easily overpower trapped individuals and pull them underwater. Heavy floating debris, cold water temperatures, steep slippery earthen banks, and strong hidden undercurrents make self-rescue nearly impossible without immediate assistance from trained emergency response personnel.

Sources:

• Story and Video Source: Memphis Police Department

• Additional Reporting: 

• Police pull man to safety from fast-moving creek - AOL