Judge Spent The Night In Jail With The Veteran He Sent There
April 25, 2016
Judge Spent A Night In Jail For The Best Reason
Judge Lou Olivera once read a story about a soldier suffering from PTSD who had crawled down into a hole. While others helped by throwing a rope down into the hole so the soldier could climb out, a fellow veteran finally jumped into the hole, telling the soldier, "I am here to climb out with you." The story always stuck with the judge. And that story is the reason the judge spent the night in jail. [rsnippet id="2" name="ArticleAd-300x250-3"] Pictured: Judge Lou Olivera Credit: Fayetteville Observer Joseph Serna is a former Special Forces soldier who did three combat tours in Afghanistan. He came home plagued by post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and turned to alcohol for comfort. Inevitably, his battle for sobriety landed him in a treatment court targeted at veterans who repeatedly show up in the court system.“I’ve lost a lot of friends and I take my bumps as well and I didn’t want to talk about it,” Joseph said.Pictured: Joseph Serna Credit: ABC 11 Eye Witness News Joe stood before Judge Olivera on a parole violation, shaking and lying about the results of his urinalysis test. The judge had every reason to be fed up with Joe. The veteran had appeared before the judge 25 times before. But that story about the soldier in the hole came back to Judge Olivera, and instead of anger, he was filled with compassion. [rsnippet id="3" name="Article-Ad"] The judge sentenced Joe to 24 hours in jail. He drove the veteran there himself. And not long after the cell door closed behind him, Joe heard it rattling open again. In walked Joe's cellmate for the night -- the judge himself! Credit: WRAL The judge spent the whole night in the cell. Judge Olivera had served during the Gulf War, and the two veterans spent most of the night talking about their time in the military.
“It was more of a father-son conversation as opposed to a judge talking to someone and sentencing them. It was personal,” Joe said.RELATED: Inmate offers to try to help save the judge who put him in jail Though it's his first time doing anything quite like this, Judge Olivera is known for his compassion for veterans. And his show of kindness made a lasting impression on Joe.
"I cannot even put into words how I feel about him," Joe says. "I look at him as a father. I've seen a lot of things, and this by far is the most compassionate thing I've ever seen anyone give to anybody. I will never let him down again."Credit: ABC 11 Eye Witness News And for Judge Olivera, that's what this story is truly about -- extending grace so that our traumatized veterans are able to return to being contributing members of society.
See the unusual punishment from this judge that has everyone talking!
h/t: WRALMost Recent Blog
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for When You Doubt God's Work in Your Life - Your Daily Prayer - July 6
Friends, you never know what the Lord is up to. He is always at work, even when You can't see it. Don't give up. Keep trusting in Him. He is good, and He does good.
Top Music Videos
Bill and Gloria Gaither Guy Penrod's Stirring Live Performance of 'Then Came The Morning'
Oak Ridge Boys 'Jesus Is Coming Soon' The Oak Ridge Boys
GodTube Music Ben Fuller’s Acoustic ‘Turn’ Is a Stirring Testimony in Song
George Jones George Jones Sings 'Just A Closer Walk With Thee'
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson Wows with Stirring 'Out of The Bluegrass' Live Performance
Blog
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.