People deserve a second chance, even those who have been in prison.
We can never judge someone based on one action, especially if we don’t know the whole story.
Most of the time, there’s hope for these people, especially if they will it in their hearts that they can change. In this man’s story, it took him a prayer to change his life.
Edward “Doc” Amey had a run-in with the law multiple times and served time in jail.
He was an ex-convict with six felony charges for selling drugs and possessing firearms.
That said, he was never friends with the police and law enforcement.
He’s been to prison three times and spent years in jail.
Texas Police Department’s Senior Patrolman Salvador “Sal” Chapa arrested Doc Amey eight years ago.
This time, it was for a gun charge, and he was sentenced to five years.
Tired of being in and out of jail, he said a simple prayer, hoping it would change his life’s course. He said:
“God, if you are real, turn my life around.”
And so, it did. Doc Amy got out of jail after serving one and a half years.
He was given a fresh start and promised not to waste it.
Wasting no time or opportunity, he enrolled in a bible college and graduated with perfect attendance.
He was also a strong congregant of their church.
The convict-turned-Christian used his experience and learnings to spread the good word.
Doc Amey shared that after bible college and being with the church, it was as if God had given him the urge to go on the streets and pray for police officers.
But there was one officer he wished he would meet in one of his regular street missions.
Doc Amey wanted to meet Office Sal Chapa again.
They spotted each other around their town more than a couple of times since he was released from jail, but they never got to talk or approach each other.
By fate, he had a run-in with that police officer but not the kind that sent him to jail.
He saw Officer Chapa in a barbecue cook-off with his fellow officers and friends.
His chance finally came, and he ensured he wouldn’t miss this opportunity to repay the officer with a prayer.
Doc Amey believed that it was the best way to repay him.
Kevin Woods saw this scene and immediately took a photo of it.
He was with Officer Chapa in that cook-off and glanced at the two sharing a moment.
It was not the most likely sight of a police officer and ex-convict – especially a person of color – so he thought it would be good to share that with others.
The Texas City Police Department posted Kevin’s photo on their page, which immediately went viral.
Along with Doc Amey’s story, they added a lesson everyone should learn from seeing this beautiful occurrence.
“We should be seeing more of this in America. There shouldn’t be race involved, and this is living proof that color doesn’t matter. This is a prime example.”
Watch Doc Amey’s transformation story in the video below.
