A teary-eyed Gibson replied that it was a gift he received from his daughter. He had recently found out that her six-year battle with breast cancer was about to get worse and she probably wasn’t going to live much longer.
“I also thought, this man already has enough, I’m not going to write him any paperwork for a ticket or even a warning,” said Durnil.
Before he left, Durnil asked Gibson if there was anything else he could do to help. The man replied, “Do you know how to pray?”
“Here I was thinking this man needs prayer, and now he’s asking me for a prayer,” said Durnil. “The good Lord put us together for a purpose.”
“Putting those two things together, I almost fell out of the side of the truck there.”
That’s when the officer removed his hat, got down on his knees and held Gibson’s hand as he said a prayer. The simple act left both men with tears in their eyes.
Gibson later called in to say ‘thank you,’ and the station gave his number to Durnil so they could keep in contact.
Durnil said, “I hope everyone that hears about this is one more person that can pray for him and his family.”
Praise God for officers like Durnil who allow compassion and grace to trump the law when the situation calls for it. What a remarkable way to take care of your citizens.