Miracle begins at Georgia Cracker Barrel
When officer John Branson goes to work at the Anderson Police Department, he spends his day sorting evidence from a variety of crimes.
ANDERSON (WTHR) - When Officer John Branson goes to work at the Anderson Police Department, he spends his day sorting evidence from a variety of crimes. But he has recently seen evidence of a miracle that began at a Georgia Cracker Barrel.
In April 2016, Officer Branson spotted a man wearing a veteran's hat.
There was a connection, because Officer Branson served in the Coast Guard and his son is going into the military. It turns out that man at the Cracker Barrel, Edgar Roberts, was a Purple Heart recipient in Vietnam. He is now was a minister of a Baptist church in Valdosta, Georgia. During their conversation at Cracker Barrel, Officer Branson learned something else.
"He told me he had issues with his kidney. He's been on dialysis for five years,” said Branson. "The connection between Edgar and me was just stronger than I've ever felt. I felt I was there for a reason. We've forged a friendship over that meeting in Valdosta and we've stayed in touch ever since."
Branson and Roberts became friends. The officer visited the pastor's church.
"Edgar is like a rock star in Valdosta. Everywhere we went, everybody knew Edgar. It was a neat experience to go to his church and go out to dinner with his fellow churchgoers and his family," said Branson.
This January, Roberts revealed his health was declining.
"He didn't know how much longer he could hold on," said Branson.
Branson learned they had the same blood type and decided he wanted to become the organ donor.
"I talked to the Mayo Clinic where he goes in Jacksonville. They sent me a big blood kit. I went to St. Vincent in Anderson and got my blood tested and sent it down there (to Florida). They called me back in five days and said I was a perfect match for a kidney donation for Edgar," said Branson.
Roberts says he knew God would answer his prayer.
"When I got dialysis, I was asking God, 'Why?' He told me, 'I took care of you during the war, I took care of you in a plane crash and I got this now'," said Roberts. "I was telling God thank you. He proved that He's still God. He was the same God yesterday. He's the same God today. Just trust me. And, I've trusted Him wholeheartedly," said Roberts.
"I believe in God. And, I just believe this is His way of working through me for a fellow Christian," said Branson.
If everything goes as planned, Officer Branson and Pastor Roberts will have the transplant surgery in Florida in early May.
"I just don't have words to express how great I feel. How great my family feels. Because going through dialysis, God gives me the strength to endure," said Roberts.
“Knowing he struggled to fight for our country. Now, he's struggling with this. If I can make it a little easier for him, I'm willing to do that," said Branson. "I told him he'll be able to dance a lot better when he gets that kidney all set."
A 52-year-old Indiana officer and a 69 year-old Georgia preacher about to be connected forever thanks to a chance meeting at Cracker Barrel.
"It's been a great experience for me. It's helped me grow spiritually. And, my attitude has changed a lot. I see a lot clearer on things that I didn't see clearly a year ago. So, it's really benefited me, too," said Branson.
The longtime Anderson police officer says being an organ donor is a different way of helping the public.
"I'm just helping him in a different way," Branson said. "They're taking a kidney out of me. But, as long as it gives him a little bit more. He's really healthy other than this, and I think it'll give him more life. Helping people is what we do. My gut instinct is 80% of the police officers would do the same thing."
The women at the pastor's church knitted a blanket for Branson to use in the hospital. There's a Go Fund Me account set up to help pay for the officer's transportation costs to Florida. Anderson's police chief is supportive of his officer, who will need several weeks to recover.
