Brother Tommy listens and offers help to people in stress, pain at Livingston Parish Courthouse [Video]

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — A man in Livingston Parish is reaching out to help the hurting and stressed every day at the Livingston Parish Courthouse, living the motto “to serve and protect.”

Thomas Russell, known as “Brother Tommy,” has worked with security and bailiffs at the courthouse since May. He’s also the senior pastor at Albany United Pentecostal Church.

“Your presence is more important than anything I have to say, let them know that someone cares,” Russell said. “I have always been there when people needed me, mentoring.”

Recently, Sheriff Jason Ard praised Russell on Facebook for his work helping people process their feelings, giving them someone to talk to who genuinely cares.

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The post received hundreds of reactions, and Russell said he couldn’t believe the amount of support he had received from the community.

“I was shocked at all of the people’s comments and the …