Reeling from gunshot wound to femoral artery, officer shares gospel

Sometimes, the Holy Spirit’s abundant dunamis (from which we get our word dynamite) towers above the crowd in a stunning display.

Take the story of Charles Lodatto, who wasn’t witnessing on his own strength when, after taking a bullet to his femoral artery while serving a capital murder warrant at a Saginaw home on July 23, bragged on Jesus and his power to save souls while en route to the hospital. As a firefighter and a paramedic worked to control his bleeding, he had a captive audience, according to a story in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Lodatto, an Arlington police detective, was released from Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth this week after 17-year-old Tyler Lane Holder shot him. FBI special agent Andy Farrell stepped in to grab Holder right before the shooting occurred because Holder had brandished a pistol, stopping Holder from causing more mayhem. According to the story, Saginaw detective Robert Richardson removed Lodatto’s belt and applied a tourniquet.

Holder is charged with raping and murdering his neighbor, 6-year-old Alanna Gallagher.

Lodatto told the newspaper: “There are things going on with Tyler Holder that I don’t think anybody can explain. He’s obviously a troubled youth that needs to be saved, and I hope through this incident he can find peace.

“He’s a sinner just like me. God saved me, and he can save Tyler Holder.”

Not the words of a part-time Christian.