Police Officer Responds To Call And Adopts The 8-Year-Old Boy He's There To Save
February 19, 2023

When one of the worst child abuse calls came into the Poteau Police Department, God made sure Jody Thompson responded. Jody not only rescued an 8-year-old child from unimaginable horror, but the heroic officer adopts the boy, too!
In April of 2015, Jody Thompson had just pulled into work at the Poteau Police Department in Oklahoma when a call went out.
A concerned citizen reported a couple feared to be killing their child. As a former soldier and with 16 years on the police force, Jody knew the situation didn't sound good. So, he decided to head over and help out.
RELATED: Police Officer’s Selfless Act For Homeless Woman’s Heroin-Addicted Baby
"I thought I would respond to the call with on-duty officers to see if I could give any kind of assistance," he said.
But nothing could have prepared him for what lurked behind the home's door.
8-Year-Old Boy Found In Terrifying Condition
Jody Thompson and his fellow police officers broke into the house to find a terrified 8-year-old boy bound at the wrists and ankles by rope.
The poor boy, named John, was covered in bruises and nearly starved to death. The heart-wrenching scene tore at Jody's heart.
The officer wasn't on this scene by chance. Through divine intervention, God had led him to his future son.
"When I seen him. When I seen him in that house... I knew," Jody said.
As they rushed John to the hospital for treatment, Jody remained by his side. The terrified boy kept repeating the words, "They're gonna kill me."
But officer Jody Thompson wasn't going to let that happen.
“I promised him ‘Nobody’s gonna hurt you anymore, you’re with me,’” he told John.
As John spent time in the intensive care unit healing, Jody stayed with him. And it became clear very quickly that God had brought this police officer and abused boy together for a reason.
Police Officer Adopts The Boy He Rescued
Jody told his wife, Jeannie, about the special boy he'd met, along with the horrifying things John had endured.
"He did not have a spot on his body that didn't have a bruise or abrasion," Jody said. "It was the worst thing I've ever seen."
Both Jody and Jeannie agreed. John needed them. The couple, who already had a 15-year-old son and an 8-year-old son, welcomed John into their family with open arms.
But this blessed family wasn't done growing!
Just a few days after John joined the Thompson family, Jeannie found out she was pregnant!
"But the story gets even more incredible," Jody says.
God still wasn't done. Months after this officer adopts the boy he rescued, he got a call from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS). While in jail, John's biological mother gave birth to a baby girl.
Again, John and Jeannie just knew this child was meant to be theirs.
"We literally picked her up in the hospital the next day when she was a day old and brought her straight home," Jody said. "Never in my life did I dream of having a large family, but God had different plans and so here we are. And I'm loving it all."
WATCH: Officer Adopts The Boy He Saved From Child Abuse
God's Amazing Plan
We live in a broken world where evil very much exists. Poor John spent the first 8 years of his life experiencing evil firsthand. But then God brought John and Jody together.
Life for John now looks nothing like it did before. Both he and his sister are now a part of a loving family. And that's helped John heal from the horrible trauma from his past.
Now, John is a straight-A student. He's on the honor roll, involved in the drama team, and part of the gifted and talented program. With a loving, nurturing home, he's thriving.
As grateful as John is, his new family is just as blessed by him and his sister.
"He means everything in the world that we live in," Jody said. "He's the strongest person I've ever met. He means the world."
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Nurse Adopted Abandoned Baby With Rare Birth Defect
Seeing how God brought this family together is truly amazing. It's a powerful reminder that when we see the injustices of this world, God can use us to be the answer!
WATCH: Police Officer Recalls The Case He'll Never Forget
LISTEN: Parents Of 4 Step In For Boy After Hearing His Heartbreaking Shaken Baby Syndrome Story | Story Behind the Secret Inscription Only 3 People Know on Wedding Ring of Queen Elizabeth
h/t: Godvine
Featured Image Credit: ABC News | Facebook/Trish Hartwig
Mel is the senior writer for GodUpdates, finding, writing and sharing Christian, uplifting, and health-related stories from around the world. Mel has a passion for writing and graduated with a degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. When she’s not researching and writing stories, Mel is very active in her church. You can usually find Mel playing board games with her husband and two young girls, giving someone a hug, or hunting down a good cup of coffee!
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Peace This Easter - Your Daily Prayer - April 1
You don't have to be afraid you won’t find the perfect Easter outfit, or have perfectly well-behaved children, or know exactly what to say at the dinner prayer. Honoring the resurrection is admitting and embracing a victorious freedom — to receive the peace of Jesus.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Peace This Easter - Your Daily Prayer - April 1
You don't have to be afraid you won’t find the perfect Easter outfit, or have perfectly well-behaved children, or know exactly what to say at the dinner prayer. Honoring the resurrection is admitting and embracing a victorious freedom — to receive the peace of Jesus.
Past Stories
- High School Team Makes Time for Fourth Graders Who Became Their Loudest Fans
- Bride Honors Her Dad in the Most Beautiful Way Before Their Father-Daughter Dance
- From College Romance to Friendship — and Back Again After One Life-Changing Moment
- 12 Great Christian Songs About Following Jesus
- 10 Christian Baby Dedication Songs
- 12 Amazing Granny Pod Ideas For The Backyard
- 20 Best Birthday Bible Verses for Women | Encourage with Scripture
- North Texas Father Finds Comfort in Newborn Son After Wife Dies in Childbirth
- High School Students Form Special Bond With Seniors Through Chair Volleyball Games
- Top 20 Hymns for Church: Christian Songs for Worship
- Faith, Speed and the Power of a Pit Crew
- 12 Years After His Death, Officers Honor Fallen Colleague by Standing With His Daughter on Her Wedding Day
- 3 Siblings Became Accidental Viral Stars and Now, Their Covers Are Inspiring Faith
- 20 Female Christian Artists Shaping Christian Music Today
- Dog Crashes the 2026 Winter Olympics Cross-Country Race and Sprints to the Finish Line
- Construction Crew Lifts Spirits of Girl Awaiting Heart Transplant in the Sweetest Way
- He Delivered Mail for 33 Years, Then the Community Delivered Love Right Back
- These First Graders Designed Their Own Winter Hats, and Now They’re Wearing Them
- When an 8-Month-Old’s Stroller Blew Into a Lake, One Man Didn’t Hesitate and Went in to Save Her
- On Random Acts of Kindness Day, Florist Leaves Flowers Around the City for Strangers to Find
- Is The Resurrection A Myth? Here's The Truth About Why We Celebrate Easter
- 26-Year-Old Swept Out to Sea, Then His Friend’s Quick Thinking Changed Everything
- Twins Have Daughters On the Very Same Day, 'The Greatest Thing We Could Have Been Given'
- The God of Detail
- Heartbroken Parents Take 2-Year-Old Off Life Support And Then Get An Easter Miracle
- Singer Shares A New Take On The Resurrection From This Hillsong Hit
- An Adorable Little Girl Explains The Story Of Easter In The Most Precious And Powerful Way
- 6 Times a Total Stranger Became a 'Good Samaritan' and Saved Someone's Life
- Mysterious Dog Finds a Missing Child, 'It Was a Blessing From God That Day'
- At 88, She Finally Flew for the First Time — With Her Grandson in the Cockpit
- ‘Good Samaritan’ Saves Pregnant Woman From Sinking Car, She Then Has Baby On Her Birthday
- Quieter Now, but Still a Star: 33-Year-Old Cockatiel Sets Guinness World Record
- 19-Year-Old’s Brave Act Saves a Couple — and Earns Many Unexpected Rewards
- I Went Antiquing in France...and God Taught Me This
- Dog Reunited With Family After Going Missing for Almost a Week Following Winter Storm
- Pastor Finds Strength in Faith and Community While Navigating Recovery Following a Sudden Stroke
- St. Patrick's Day Myths and Facts We Bet You Didn't Know
- After Losing Her Sister, This Teacher Found a Beautiful Way to Inspire Kindness in Her Students
- An Arizona Restaurant Gives a Customer a Special Last Meal, and it Was a Huge Blessing
- At 90, Michigan Teacher’s Lifelong Dedication to Her Students Earns Guinness World Record
- When His Family Was Swept Out to Sea, This 13-Year-Old Swam for Four Hours to Save Them
- She Just Dipped Pretzels In Chocolate. And In The End, There Was A Simple Treat With A Powerful Message About JESUS!
- Adorable And Easy Easter Lamb Cake
- One Dad’s Backyard Ice Rink Turns Cold Weather Into Community Connection
- Firefighter Saves Puppies From a Fire, Brings One Home — Then Adopts His Brother Too
- Walking in Obedience Will Make You Look Crazy
- A Food Stand Started by His Mom Is Helping This 14-Year-Old With Autism Thrive
- Welcoming Quintuplets Turned This Family of 4 Into a Family of 9: “I Think It’s a Miracle”
- Kindergartener Celebrates 100th Day of School With 100-Year-Old Great-Grandpa
- Actress Danica McKellar Celebrates Easter by Sharing Some of Her Christian Testimony
Top Artists
Top Music Videos

Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin’s Powerful Live Rendition of ‘The First Hymn’ Will Stir Your Soul

toby mac TobyMac Drops ‘Heaven On My Mind’ Official Music Video

Casting Crowns 'Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)' Casting Crowns Live

John Mark McMillan John Mark McMillan and Sarah McMillan - King Of My Heart

Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin - Holy Forever
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.









