Forgiveness is a powerful thing

On Monday in Justice Court, Sanders County Sheriff's Deputy April Phillips addressed the young man who hit her patrol vehicle head-on last year. She told of her injuries and of the lasting effects.

Phillips was firm in her statement before Judge Doug Dryden. However, she also showed an impressive amount of compassion for defendant Brody Hill. Phillips said jail wasn't the right place for Hill. "I'm realistic and don't think that spending time in jail would be beneficial for you, Brody. I don't think you are a bad person, so being put with other hardened criminals is not in your best interest. Now obviously, should you not hold up your end of the plea deal, that could change by your own doing and choices you make," Phillips said.

What Phillips proposed instead was that she and Hill work together to educate others on the consequences of the choices you make. Instead of sitting in jail, she encouraged him to help her make a presentation that can be shared with Sanders County students and the public.

When something happens like the head-on accident involving Hill and Deputy Phillips that occurred in April of last year, the initial reaction is to be angry and want to see someone punished for their actions. Deputy Phillips deserves a lot of credit for how she handled the situation, by not being angry and trying to be part of the solution so that what happened to her doesn't happen to someone else.

I hope that others take note of not only how Phillips reacted to the situation, but also of the good things that hopefully will come out of something tragic.

— Annie Wooden