INJURIES. THIENSVILLE POLICE SAY 52 YEAR OLD ALEX MELNIKOV DROWNED IN THE MILWAUKEE RIVER LAST WEEK WHILE TRYING TO SAVE HIS DOG, WHO HAD BEEN SWEPT AWAY DOWNSTREAM. 12 NEWS ZOE HENRY REPORTS FROM OZAKI COUNTY. POLICE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THE DOG NOW. THE DOG’S NAME IS KOBE. HE’S A CHOCOLATE LABRADOR RETRIEVER. AND IF YOU TAKE A LOOK BEHIND US, COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE TAKEN THE TIME OUT TO PLACE, LIVE FLOWERS IN MEMORIAL OF ALEXANDER MELNIKOV. POLICE SAY KOBE RAN INTO THE WATER AND ALEXANDER RAN AFTER HIM. LAST WEDNESDAY. I SPOKE WITH A FAMILY MEMBER OF ALEXANDER THIS MORNING WHO DECLINED TO GO ON CAMERA, BUT TOLD POLICE BOTH ALEXANDER AND KOBE LIVED THEIR LIVES TO THE FULLEST. NOW, COMMUNITY MEMBERS SAY THEY AREN’T GIVING UP ON KOBE, RIGHT? I MEAN, WHEN THE STORY FIRST CAME OUT, YOU KNOW, I HEARD THAT A MAN HAD GOT MISSING IN THIS AREA. YOU KNOW, I WAS SHOCKED. BUT WHEN THE REST OF THE STORY CAME OUT, YOU KNOW, SAID HE WAS GOING FOR HIS DOG. HE WAS A FISHERMAN, YOU KNOW, IT’S JUST IT’S A CRAZY STORY AND JUST HEARTBREAKING. BUT IT WAS BRAVE FOR THIS MAN TO JUMP AFTER THE DOG. IT’S MEAN. HE USED TO HAVE A SWEET HEART AND LOVES THIS DOG. NOT EVERYBODY WILL DO THAT. I THINK IT’S UNUSUAL. IT’S VERY GOOD, MAN. IT’S WHAT I FEEL AGAIN. KOBE IS A CHOCOLATE LABRADOR AND POLICE SAY IF YOU DO FIND HIM TO CALL THE THIENSVILLE POLICE DEPART
Witnesses at Village Park in Thiensville, Wisconsin, called for help after a man was swept away by the Milwaukee River while attempting to save his dog.After a two-day search, authorities recovered the body of 52-year-old Aleksandr “Alex” Melnikov, though his dog, Kobe, also believed to have died, remains missing.Despite efforts from multiple agencies, the search for Melnikov was hampered by high water levels after rain in previous days. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources used sonar technology and drones to search for Melnikov, who was reportedly swept downstream and over the Village Park dam.Among those who immediately joined the search was Melnikov's son, Vlad Melnikov, a Cedarburg police officer, who, according to the News Graphic, received a call asking if he was related to Alex Melnikov. Vlad Melnikov and his wife, Molly, rushed to the park.Vlad Melnikov, speaking to the News Graphic, said that he is at peace knowing the two went out together. Neither would have wanted to live without the other, he said.”Unfortunately, Alex and Kobe lost their lives accidentally but through communication with Alex’s family and friends,” Thiensville police said in a statement. “It was undeniable that Alex and Kobe lived their lives to the fullest extent possible.”The family suggests donations to the Ozaukee Humane Society in Alex Melnikov's memory or that those wishing to honor him keep an eye out for Kobe.Police ask that anyone who locates Kobe contact their local non-emergency police number.
Witnesses at Village Park in Thiensville, Wisconsin, called for help after a man was swept away by the Milwaukee River while attempting to save his dog.
After a two-day search, authorities recovered the body of 52-year-old Aleksandr “Alex” Melnikov, though his dog, Kobe, also believed to have died, remains missing.
Despite efforts from multiple agencies, the search for Melnikov was hampered by high water levels after rain in previous days. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources used sonar technology and drones to search for Melnikov, who was reportedly swept downstream and over the Village Park dam.
Among those who immediately joined the search was Melnikov's son, Vlad Melnikov, a Cedarburg police officer, who, according to the News Graphic, received a call asking if he was related to Alex Melnikov. Vlad Melnikov and his wife, Molly, rushed to the park.
Vlad Melnikov, speaking to the News Graphic, said that he is at peace knowing the two went out together. Neither would have wanted to live without the other, he said.
“Unfortunately, Alex and Kobe lost their lives accidentally but through communication with Alex’s family and friends,” Thiensville police said in a statement. “It was undeniable that Alex and Kobe lived their lives to the fullest extent possible.”
The family suggests donations to the Ozaukee Humane Society in Alex Melnikov's memory or that those wishing to honor him keep an eye out for Kobe.
Police ask that anyone who locates Kobe contact their local non-emergency police number.
