Christian Family Services Ministry

7-2-2022 – A Word to the Wise – We have been talking about prayer, lets continue:

The following incident reveals just how interwoven the help the Lord provides for those who call upon him. The information is taken from my journal, so the information is timely and accurate.

It is Friday September 23, 1988 , 0630 I am at the police department working alone my sign on call is 2676 which identifies me as a reserve officer.

I get to the substation about 6.30 A.M.

As I was checking out my vehicle a Code 3 call comes out. Two elements 361, and 363 are assigned. “House being broken into near the VA hospital Lancaster, and Ledbetter.” After arrival, the elements put on the air, ‘Women broke into the house and kidnapped two young children, 4 and 6 years old.’

A couple of minutes later the woman is identify as having committed two murders the night before in Ft. Worth and was wanted for homicide. Every element in Southeast was assigned to search for the woman and children. The Helicopter now joins the search she was thought to be on foot. A clothing description is given out. So, I joined the search. After about 45 minutes I was ready to give up because I had another assignment to go too.

As I started to turn North the Lord told me to go West on Ledbetter. I was reaching the borderline between channel three and four. For the most part officers stay on the channel of their assignment.

I started to turn again, and the Lord said no, The Lord intervenes tell me to stay on the road turning neither North nor South. I obey, crossing Lancaster I switch to channel 4. Immediately the Lord tells me to slow down. I go a block or two and again the Lord tells me, slow down and look to your right as you come to each new intersection. I slow, but again a third time, slow down, now look to your right. I observe some 3 blocks down a grown woman and two small children. I turn around and slowly drive up the street. Get the description and call channel 4 dispatch. ‘2676 give me the description of the kidnapped children.’ Channel 4 dispatch tells me to go back to channel 3 to get the description. Channel 3 dispatcher give me the description of the woman two children. Channel 3 dispatch, ‘black female about 5’7 wearing a beige coat, children is a six-year-old boy with red pajamas and no coat. Black female 4 years old in a blue dress.

I got back to channel 4 because that was the area I was in and told dispatch,” I have a homicide suspect and the two kidnapped children in sight and gave the location and ask for backup. There was silence for a moment and the dispatcher then advised me that there was no help available. This was something never done on an assist officer call. She suggested I might go back to channel 3 and see if help was available.

Lord, I need some help here. The woman was approaching a major intersection which would complicate the situation and possibly endanger the children. I go to channel 3 an advise “Signal 15 officer needs help suspect and two kidnapped children in sight. Dispatch immediately advised 361, 363 Code 3. The Lord then indicated I should pull in front of her stop and offer a warm vehicle to the children instead of waiting for backup because of the major intersection coming up.

Dispatch, ‘I am going to have to stop her here where I can control the situation, tell cover to step it up.’ I turn on my lights and pull in front of the suspect. Get out of the squad car. I ask her if she needs a ride somewhere since it is cold.

Hopefully, she does not suspect the real reason for stopping her. I can hear the siren in the distance. Putting myself between her and the kids I ask the kids a couple of questions in a non-threatening manner.

The sirens are getting closer, so I turn and ask her what her name is. She gets angry and tells me it is none of my business, she does not have to tell me her name. By this time the two children have backed away from her. There is fear in their eyes. The children were shivering. She starts to back up and I tell her ‘You do not want to do this in front of the kids. I reach for my weapon but do not pull it out. I do not want to frighten the children. I tell her again, “make no sudden movements.”

I have her put the kids in the backseat of the squad car. She hears the approaching squads and puts her hands back on the trunk lid. She starts to cry, and then the 2 elements come to a screeching halt officers jump out grabbing her. I talk to the children for a few minutes afterward.

“Thank you Lord for the opportunity to serve you, to protect your children,” but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.” Where we were located when I stopped them no one was looking for them in this place since she had crossed over into a different area. The Lord did that. Step by step.

Again, my purpose her is to reveal the day to day minute to minute concern for those who ask for the Lord’s help.

These situations are totally different than the interventions of the Lord at work and the resulting written material. But the same Lord.