A compassionate police officer and his trusty German shepherd took a few minutes out to pray with a 9-year-old boy before he underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor. Jalen Manns was diagnosed with a life-threatening Thalamic Glioma brain growth in May and underwent surgery earlier this month. But just before he was whisked off to the hospital, several officers from the Warner Robins Police Department paid him a very special visit.
Jalen absolutely loves German shepherds, so the officers brought along their highly-trained K9 and offered to pray with the young boy. Footage of the incredibly powerful moment has gone viral, as an officer can be seen getting choked up as he knelt down, rested a hand on Jalen’s shoulder and cried out to Jesus.
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“Lord heavenly father, we just come to you now, Lord God, asking for your words of encouragement and strength today,” the officer said, as his K9 sat next to him.
“Lord we know that it is your will and divine intervention that has made this day possible,” the officer continued. “Lord, be with them in the operating room today. Guide their hands. We pray for Jalen that you would heal his body, Lord God. Heal him from the things that are hindering him right now, Lord Jesus.”
He added: “Lord God, we know that your touch and your blood can heal him right now. We pray for the family – that you would guide them and keep them safe. Give them strength throughout this trying time. Let them know that you’re with them. We cry out to you right now Lord Jesus.”
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Jalen’s mom, Hannah Manns, told CBS News that Jaden is so fanatic about this particular breed of dog that he even has a collection of stuffed German shepherds in his bedroom. He calls them “Jalen’s guard dogs,” his mom noted.
Manns explained that most of the stuffed animals had been donated by people who had responded to Jalen’s story on Facebook. “We created the Team Jalen Facebook page… just to see what I could do as a mom to comfort him, because Jalen has really bad anxiety,” Manns explained. She also noted that the tumor has been causing various psychological and sensory issues for her son, including increased anxiety.
After spotting a post about her son’s love for German shepherds, The Warner Robins Police Department decided to do something very special for Jalen ahead of his major surgery. The officers liaised with Jalen’s mother and managed to catch the young boy before he headed off to the hospital. “Five or six officers came this morning and got there at 6 a.m. They knocked on the door and said we’re looking for Jalen,” Manns said. “He shook their hand and they gave him some gifts. … They took him outside and he explained to them he wanted to meet all their dogs.” The officers couldn’t bring all of the K9s out at once, so they took turns, Manns says.
Jalen got a chance to meet each dog from the K9 unit, learn their names and hear about how they help assist the police officers in the line of duty. The officers went further, accompanying the brave young man for his biopsy ahead of the surgery. “They walked him around the hospital to get him settled,” Manns explained, but Jalen didn’t want them go. “He didn’t want [the officers] to leave… I told him they have to protect our city and our homes and where we live,” Manns said. Eventually, the police officers had to leave, but they promised young Jalen that they’d return.
“They all wanted to follow up with him,” Manns said. “They said they want to redo everything again after the procedure is over,” Manns said.
The praying officer was Warner Robins Police Department, Jason Lambert. He spoke of his faith in Jesus and his firm beliee that God can heal broken bodies. “I just wanted to get, one, believing in God’s healing powers. I never expected anything like this to go viral,” Lamberth told WMAZ. “I don’t want the attention. It’s not about me. It’s about God. It’s about Jalen and getting his story out there. I just really hope and pray for his total healing and that people will go and support the family,”
Jalen’s surgery was reported to have gone well and he is currently recovering at home.
“Good morning #TeamJalen family!” read a recent Facebook post. “Thank you all for the continuous love, support, prayers and donations. We could never say thank you enough but we are extremely thankful so I will thank you all every chance I get!”
The post noted that Jalen had to see the doctor to have a health check “since he had still been having a few minor issues” But it was good news: his “vitals looked great incision looked great, and said the issues he is still having was normal after procedure symptoms.”
The post continued:
“Yesterday, after his appointment, he was able to reconnect with all of the officers and K9’s that made his morning special! I honestly could not have asked for a better group of guys to come aboard and be apart of Jalens journey. Jalen was so tired but so excited at the same time. They showed so much love and compassion to our family once again. I did not take any photos as I wanted this to be a special time for them and Jalen to just bond with no extras involved, but I will get one soon, these men have became like family so I’m sure we will be seeing them often. Also, big thank you once again to EVERYONE at WRPD.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Jalen – you can donate here.