Officer Jody Thompson of the Poteau Police Department in Oklahoma has adopted 10-year-old John and his baby sister after he responded to a call regarding the young boy, two years prior

An Oklahoma police officer has done the unthinkable and adopted a young boy he met while investigating a child abuse allegation.

Officer Jody Thompson of the Poteau Police Department in Oklahoma has adopted 10-year-old John and his baby sister after he responded to a call regarding the young boy, two years prior.

In 2015, Thompson responded to a physical child abuse call, having previous experience investigating such cases for the district attorney's office.

'I've investigated child abuse cases before,' Thompson told CBS News.

'I thought I'd better go ahead and respond.'

Thompson was stunned to see a severely underweight eight-year-old boy with his wrists bound by belts, bruises all along his back and a huge bump on his head, having been submerged in a trash can full of cold water.

In 2015, Thompson responded to a physical child abuse call when he pulled into the Poteau Police Department in Oklahoma

He weighed a mere 61lbs.

The officer added: 'He did not have a spot on his body that didn't have a bruise or abrasion. It was the worst thing I've ever seen.'

Thompson wrapped the boy in a blanket and took him to the Oklahoma Children's Advocacy Center so that detectives could take photos.

'I sat with him,' Thompson said having taken the boy to the emergency room following the visit to the Center.

Thompson was stunned to see a severely underweight eight-year-old boy with his wrists bound by belts, bruises all along his back and a huge bump on his head, having been submerged in a trash can full of cold water. The officer wrapped the boy in a blanket and took him to the Oklahoma Children's Advocacy Center so that detectives could take photos

'And when he was admitted into the intensive care unit, I sat all night until the next day.'

And Thompson was immediately connected to John, knowing that the two would be in each other's lives.

'When I'd seen him in that house shivering and his hands tied - just soaking wet and confused - I knew at that moment the only time I would be satisfied and sure that he was safe is if he was with me,' Thompson said.

The officer called the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) and registered to become a certified foster parent, bringing John home a few days later.

And Thompson didn't tell his wife Jeannie and their children Ryan and Charley - aged 15 and eight at the time - that he was bringing the young boy home.

Family photo: Thompson's biological children Charley (10), Ryan (16) and Zaven (6 months) along with his wife Jeannie who is holding Paizley and John. When Thompson brought John home, he hadn't told his family he was going to do it

The family welcomed John to their home on April 30, 2015 and were even more surprised when they found they would be expecting their third biological child.

Seven months later, the DHS contacted the family and asked them if they wanted to foster John's sister Paizley who was born while in jail.

He said: 'We literally picked her up in the hospital the next day when she was a day old and brought her straight home.'

After John's parents - who are both incarcerated and awaiting trial - relinquished their parental rights to the boy, the family adopted him in August. On February 16, after the parent's rights were terminated for Paizley in a lengthy jury trial and appeal, they were able to adopt the little girl

'Never in my life did I dream of having a large family, but God had different plans and so here we are. And I'm loving it all.'

After John's parents - who are both incarcerated and awaiting trial - relinquished their parental rights to the boy, the family adopted him in August.

On February 16, after the parents rights were terminated for Paizley in a lengthy jury trial and appeal, they were able to adopt the little girl.

John had to testify for himself during the trial.

But the family has done their best to put those memories behind them, instead focusing on John's accomplishments at school.

'Jody's actions as well has his families are second to none. The example of love and compassion he has shown to this young man and his sister is an example everyone should follow,' Poteau Police Chief Stephen Fruen said in a statement

'John is amazing. He's a straight-A student, on the honor roll, in the gifted and talented program, involved in the local drama club,' Thompson.

'That kid's very resilient. He bounced back from this.'

This past Tuesday, Thompson was honored with a certificate of commendation from the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigations, with John right by his side.

'Jody's actions as well has his families are second to none. The example of love and compassion he has shown to this young man and his sister is an example everyone should follow,' Poteau Police Chief Stephen Fruen said in a statement.

'It's men like you that make me proud of our law enforcement brothers and sisters. You are very deserving of this commendation. I am proud to serve with you.'

John has recently decided to share his testimony in hopes of helping fellow abuse victims.

Thompson said: 'We went through something bad, but we're not going got let it define who were are. We're not going to let this hold us back. Always have compassion, you never know what you're going to walk into.'