Bridges continued his train of thought.

“There’s another side to all of us that we keep to our self,” he said. “Recently, things like this happen where you see the type of person I really am.”

Raised “in the country” by his paternal grandparents in East Texas, Bridges’ morals and standards were shaped by his grandfather, William Bridges.

The elder Bridges instilled nuggets of wisdom such as “no matter how bad you have it, somebody has it worse then you,” and “if you have money left over after you have taken care of your responsibilities, then give to others” took root in his heart.

Even to this day if there are visitors at his home during dinner Bridges will wait for the guests to eat first before he takes a bite.

Bridges often seeks others who need help. He told of an elderly man and woman who live alone in his neighborhood. For whatever reason their families do not visit much, he said. But when the holidays roll around the officer makes sure the two people have something special to eat.

Bridges prefers to make a difference in the lives of others without fanfare and it’s not beyond him to pay the tab for older individuals when he’s in a restaurant.

“I might see a person, especially an older couple, who, by physical appearance, you know that that night out is a big deal for them. I’ll ask the waitress to bring me their ticket,” he said. “I’ve had people see me do this and ask me why. I tell them to look at the expression on their faces. That smile is worth 10 times what the meal costs.”

“God has a goal and a task for all of us to do each day. He’ll head us in the right direction,” he said. “Some of the things you do for others are things you do every day and others don’t see it.”

He feels God’s blessing each day he wakes up, he said, and knows that day will be a good day because the Lord gave it to him.

Pinned to his uniform are several award citations ranging from his police work in narcotics and burglaries to assisting in the capture of a triple homicide suspect.

The most special of his awards is a meritous duty pin he received last year for the work at Knights home and for feeding the homeless man on the West Side. The best moment in the ceremony was when Police Chief Mark Blanton shook his hand and said “I’m proud of you,” he said.

So what’s next for the man who puts others before him? Preaching.

“The Good Lord has put a message in my heart,” he said. “I want to preach in a church in Port Arthur.”