An off-duty Manchester Township police sergeant turned his hunting trip into a rescue mission.

Sgt. Charles Brooks was in the Pinelands last weekend when he noticed a dog try to get his attention.

He followed the dog and noticed footprint tracks.

Brooks then found 78-year-old Fred Rapp, who was reporting missing with his dog the day before.

Rapp suffers from early stages of dementia.

He never made it to his daughter's home after becoming confused.

"I think he was very lucky," Brooks says. "He was fortunate to have his dog with him and that I had happened to pick that area that day and and was able to use some of my trainings, police work and outdoorsmanship to get a successful ending for this gentleman."

Rapp remains in the hospital but his daughter says he's doing well.

He is expected to make a full recovery.