Month after month and day after day, the Free Thought Project reports on stories of unspeakable crimes committed by those sworn to ‘protect’ society. Unfortunately, there is never a shortage of taxpayer funded corruption. So, when the chance presents itself for TFTP to shine a light on a public servant for their heroism and selfless public service, we jump at the opportunity in order to provide an example for other officers. Officer Jody Thompson is one such example.

Thompson’s story begins when he was off-duty two years ago and overheard a call about a horrific case of child abuse. Because of his background at the district attorney’s office in child abuse, Thompson thought he should respond, even though he wasn’t working. What he found when he arrived at the call was nothing short of heartbreaking.

“I’ve investigated child abuse cases before,” Thompson told CBS News. “I thought I’d better go ahead and respond.”

When Thompson arrived at the scene, reports CBS News, he was stunned to see a severely underweight boy — his wrists bound by belts, with bruises along his back and a huge knot on his head. The 8-year-old boy had been submerged in a trash can full of cold water.

He weighed just 61 pounds at the time.

“He did not have a spot on his body that didn’t have a bruise or abrasion,” Thompson said. “It was the worst thing I’ve ever seen.”

Thompson tells reporters that he knew from that moment he had to protect this boy. However, instead of placing the child in the ‘care’ of the state for him to be passed around in the foster system — a crap shoot at best — Thompson went one step further.

After bringing the boy to the emergency room to get treated for years of horrifying abuse, Thompson made a life-changing decision. He would go through the proper channels to make sure he could protect this little boy for the rest of his life. He moved to adopt him.

“I sat with him,” Thompson said. “And when he was admitted into the intensive care unit, I sat all night until the next day.”

“When I’d seen him in that house shivering and his hands tied — just soaking wet and confused — I knew at that moment the only time I would be satisfied and sure that he was safe is if he was with me,” Thompson said.

As CBS reports, the next day, Thompson contacted the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) to become a certified foster parent. A couple days later, he brought John home.

“At the time, I had a 15-year-old son and an 8-year-old son. When I brought John home I didn’t tell them or my wife,” Thompson said. “Everyone knew… they trusted I was doing the right thing before they even knew what happened and heard the story.”

Thompson’s family accepted little John as one of their own and, just like that, this officer’s public service transcended all bounds of what’s expected from his normal duty. But that was just the beginning.

Months after John moved in with the Thompson’s the family got word that John’s mother, who’d tortured him for years, was giving birth to a baby girl. After going through the proper channels, the child abusing parents then relinquished parental rights and the Thompsons took in John’s sister too.

“We literally picked her up in the hospital the next day when she was a day old and brought her straight home,” Thompson 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.”

To show just how good of a man officer Thompson is, the severely abused boy has not only fit right in with the family, but he’s excelling as well.

“John is amazing. He’s a straight-A student, on the honor roll, in the gifted and talented program, involved in the local drama club,” Thompson said of his now 10-year-old son. “That kid’s very resilient. He bounced back from this.”

On Tuesday, Thompson received a certificate of commendation from the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigations, and John stood by his side as he graciously accepted it.

“Jody’s actions as well has his families are second to none. The example of love and compassion he has shown to this young man and his sister is an example everyone should follow,” Poteau Police Chief Stephen Fruen said in a statement. “It’s men like you that make me proud of our law enforcement brothers and sisters. You are very deserving of this commendation. I am proud to serve with you.”

Imagine if all police set out to better their communities through preventing real crimes and showing compassion — instead of collecting revenue and locking people up for victimless crimes. Thompson is a role model to other officers. His service to his community is second to none and should serve as an example for cops across the nation.