Showing a type of empathy that tends to be absent in those who work in the judicial system, District Court Judge Lou Olivera spent 24 hours in a jail cell with a person that he had to send to prison. Battling with post-traumatic stress disorder and bouts of inebriation, Sgt. Joseph Serna was found face to face with Olivera after he lied about a recent urine test.
Driving Serna to be processed, the judge noticed how Serna was trembling and having a hard time dealing with the situation. That’s when Olivera decided to accompany Serna during his 24-hour ordeal, hoping that he could offer some solace during this time. The two ended up trading stories about their experiences in the military.
What Happened To Sgt. Joseph Serna
A former Special Forces soldier and three-time Purple Heart recipient, Serna served several tours throughout Afghanistan. In the span of 20 years, Sgt. Serna was almost killed three times, citing the attempts of a suicide bomber and roadside mines. One particular time, death brushed much too close.
In 2008, Serna and three other soldiers had their vehicle fall into a waterway. In just moments, the armored truck was almost filled with water. A fellow soldier, Sgt. James Treber, saved Serna by guiding him into a pocket of air.
Realizing that there wasn’t enough room for the both of them to breathe, Treber swam away, looking for another pocket of air. Ultimately, Serna was the only person who survived the incident.
As a veteran suffering from PTSD, Serna was ultimately charged with driving under the influence. Trying to step into the right direction, he entered a treatment program that was presided by Judge Olivera.
Who Is Judge Lou Olivera
A court judge for the 12th Judicial District in North Carolina, Judge Olivera is noted as being the first elected Hispanic in North Carolina – ever. A graduate of Pembroke State University and the Campbell Law School, Judge Lou Olivera is up for re-election on Nov. 8, 2016. A dedicated support page is live on Facebook.
Sgt. Joseph Serna Is Not Alone With His PTSD
Individuals in the armed forces, especially those in combat, are at a particular risk for PTSD due to the nature of their occupation. PTSD may cause someone to act aggressively, as they are catapulted into a fight-or-flight response in situations that many civilians may deem mundane. Unfortunately, many self-medicate with drugs or alcohol.
Sadly, the statistics are abysmal. Serna is one of the more 2-million veterans stemming from wars in Afghanistan, with about half of them not seeking treatment for their condition. Shame, difficulty of diagnosis, and erratic symptoms make it particularly difficult to treat PTSD.
Outside of being understanding and being educated on the subject, citizens can help by connecting a PTSD sufferer with the correct tools. Sometimes, a war veteran simply needs genuine care and encouragement to help them decipher their PTSD.
Here is Judge Olivera speaking about the Veteran’s Treatment Court designed to address the needs of veterans.
Featured image via Video
