A Hero’s Journey: Jody Thompson’s Story of Love, Resilience, and Adoption
Poteau, Oklahoma, police officer Jody Thompson lives in the home where he grew up, alongside his wife of 22 years, Jeannie, his high school sweetheart. On April 28, 2015, while off duty, Jody heard a distressing child abuse call over the police radio. With a background in investigating child abuse cases for the district attorney’s office, he felt compelled to respond. What he witnessed changed his life forever, leading him to adopt the boy at the center of the case—and later, the boy’s infant sister.
This is their story of hope and healing.
A Shocking Scene
When Jody arrived at the scene, he encountered John, a young boy sitting on a couch, visibly trembling from cold and shock.
“I’ll never forget what I saw,” Jody recalls. “He was soaking wet, malnourished, with every rib showing. His hands were bound by belts, and he had a knot on his head the size of a tennis ball.”
John’s injuries were horrifying. An ER doctor later testified that no two-inch square of his body was free from bruises, cuts, or abrasions. Jody immediately took the boy into protective custody, bringing him to the hospital, where he was admitted to intensive care, weighing only 61 pounds.
“I couldn’t walk away,” Jody says. “I stayed with him, never leaving his side. I knew I’d already crossed the line from being an objective officer to something much deeper.”
A Life of Abuse
The investigation uncovered years of abuse inflicted by John’s parents. Punishments included being sprayed in the face with a showerhead, submerged in freezing water, and even held headfirst in a trashcan filled with ice until he stopped struggling.
On the day John escaped, he was tied up, left in the trashcan, and locked in the house while his parents went to buy ice. He managed to climb out of a window and seek help from a neighbor, who called the police.
Both parents were charged with child abuse and neglect and sentenced to 35 years in prison.
A New Beginning
John was placed in a foster home after his hospital release, but Jody couldn’t stop thinking about him. Determined to ensure John’s safety, he and Jeannie began the process of becoming foster parents. Just three days later, Jody brought John home.
At the time, Jody and Jeannie already had two sons: 16-year-old Ryan and 8-year-old Charley. Shortly after welcoming John, they learned they were expecting a third child.
“Life was chaotic,” Jeannie recalls, “but we knew it was the right thing to do.”
A Growing Family
In November 2015, Jody received a call while working with John’s caseworker. John’s biological mother had given birth to a baby girl in jail. Without hesitation, Jody said, “I’m going to pick her up.”
The Thompsons welcomed baby Paizley into their family the very next day, just weeks before Jeannie gave birth to their son, Zaven.
Despite the initial challenges of raising five children, the Thompsons found strength in their community. “My police department, Jeannie’s coworkers, and the entire town rallied around us,” Jody says.
Today, John and Paizley thrive. They were formally adopted in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Moving Forward
John, now a straight-A student, has embraced his passions, participating in marching band, drama, and the thespian club. “He’s doing so well,” Jody says. “We’ve promised him he’ll never have to worry about food or safety again.”
For Paizley, now six, the focus is on giving her a carefree childhood. “She doesn’t understand what happened,” Jeannie says. “We’re waiting for the right time to share her story in a way she can handle.”
Reflecting on his journey, Jody credits faith and love for guiding his family through the challenges. “What happened to John was terrible, but it doesn’t define him,” he says. “He’s been given a second chance, and so have we.”
