Besides protecting humans, a Rutherford County Sheriff's deputy helped rescue a distressed baby falcon Wednesday.

A man walking near the downtown Judicial Building saw the falcon unable to fly and lying on her side. He notified Deputy Debbie Creech, who works inside the Judicial Building. Deputy Creech just happens to love and care for animals and birds.

"She was obviously in such distress," Deputy Creech said of the baby falcon she feared would not survive.

While other deputies covered her post, Deputy Creech picked up the falcon that latched onto her thumb. She placed the bird into a box and notified a volunteer that quickly delivered the tiny bird to the non-profit Ziggy's Tree wildlife rehabilitation group in Franklin County.

LouAnn Partington of Ziggy's Tree named Judy after the "Judicial Building. The baby falcon was dehydrated, thin and unable to fly but not injured. She was separated from her parents at an estimated six weeks of age.

Partington fed Judy plenty of mice and insects to bulk her up.

"She's very vocal and very loud," Partington said of Judy on Friday.

Judy is expected to transfer with Alix Parks of Happinest, a non-profit in Chattanooga working with raptors. Judy will move in with adult falcons to have a role model to follow.

"It was a good think Debbie (Creech) brought her inside and called us," Partington said.

People interested in supporting Ziggy's Tree may sign up with reward cards at Kroger or Amazon Smile or check out the Facebook page a Ziggy's Tree.