Dog Pulls Cowboy from Snake

Saturday, July 21, 2001 - USA

VALE, OR — Most dogs can fetch a stick in the back yard.  This dog can retrieve an armed, dangerous, multiple-murder suspect from a river.

At least that's how it happened last Friday morning when the notorious "Cowboy Mike", who is suspected in the disappearance of four women and the critical shooting of a fifth, fled from Yakima County and Malheur County Police forces.

The excitement began after the suspect Michael John Braae, 41, was spotted at a truck stop along I-84, about 13 miles east of the Idaho-Oregon line.  Idaho State Police and deputies from Payette County and Fruitland City descended upon the scene to assist in apprehending the wanted man.  A high-speed chase ensued as Braae drove his small four-wheel-drive pickup truck westbound on the freeway and some surrounding side roads, picking up a few more pursuers from the Canyon County Police along the way.

For 13 miles, Braae and his pursuers exchanged sporadic gunfire.  More officers put up a barricade along the route, using tire-piercing spikes, but Braae managed to get past them.  Finally, with about half the state of Idaho in tow (think Cannonball Run), Braae was forced off the road when officers shot out one of his front tires.

Right at the Idaho-Oregon line, Braae stopped at the bridge over Snake River, jumped out of his pickup and leaped some 40ft. down into the swift, murky water.

Sergeant Mike Lusk of the Idaho State Police comments, "That's a hell of a jump, and the water's not very deep." (Think Terminator).

For almost an hour, the slippery suspect continued to elude police as he swam about 2½ miles downstream.  That's when officers decided it's time to bring in the dog (think Cujo).

A specialized police dog was sent out into the river on a long leash, held at the other end by Malheur County deputies in a jet boat.  The police-pooch quickly caught up with Braae and chomped into his clothing.
(Photo: The Idaho Statesman / AP)

Braae repeatedly attempted to drown the dog by holding its head underwater, but in the end he was no match for Idaho's finest; by the time the deputies reeled them both in, Braae was exhausted and surrendered without a fight.

Cowboy Mike has been described as a wandering ladies' man, "a womanizer, known to pick up women in taverns," says Sheriff's Lieutenant Dan Garcia.

His latest alleged victim, Marchelle Morgan, was found shot in the head and left in the bushes by the side of a rural Washington road last week.  She remains in Yakima County Memorial Hospital in critical condition.

Braae is due for a court appearance tomorrow in which he will face preliminary charges of eluding officers, criminal mischief and interfering with a police animal.  Reportedly, his only statement has been, "My name isn't Cowboy."

(Think Bull— ...Durham.)

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