To protect and serve, and drive 100 miles

In the middle of the night, Matt Ross of Indiana got a call that his 15-year-old sister had been killed in a car accident. His grieving mother was back home in Detroit. Distraught, Matt convinced a friend to drive him to be with his mom.

Problem one. The friend had a suspended license. Problem two. The car was pulled over by Ohio State Highway Patrol for speeding. Problem three. The friend was arrested and the vehicle towed. Problem four. Matt himself had an outstanding warrant in distant Wayne County.

The Wayne County police didn't act on the warrant because of the distance involved, which was a relief. But filled with grief and without a way to get to his mom, Matt sat alongside the road and wept. Sgt. David Robinson saw the young man's pain and sat beside him. He prayed with Matt and offered to drive him to Detroit, a trip of over 100 miles.

Matt accepted the officer's generosity.