Al' story

Before I received eternal life my life was empty. I did my best to fill my emptiness with material possessions or career accomplishments. I thought I was a good person. I relied on myself for everything. I believed I didn't need anything from anybody.

I had been employed as a deputy sheriff for Alameda County Sheriff's Department about 8 years. I was very successful. I decided I want to work closer to home, for a police department with more opportunities, so I applied for Stockton PD and Modesto PD. Stockton PD called first. I was cocky and over-confident during the process, so I was subsequently disqualified. I was embarresed and devastated.

One of my co-workers saw how badly I was hurting. He spoke to me about the hole in my heart I was trying to fill with material stuff and work place accomplishments. He saw all the pride I had. He assured me God had a plan for my life if I would only accept his free gift of Grace. Over many cups of coffee in the middle of our graveyard shifts he began to share his faith. He was never pushy and he was a good listener. He spoke to me about being a lone ranger who kept a shield up to keep everyone at least an arms length away. I saw a peace in him that I didn't have, but really wanted. In 1992 Sergeant Jim Ayala led me to Christ during a police couples conference at Hume Lake Christen Camp. I went forward during an alter call and accepted Jesus on my knees.

Now that I have eternal life I am much more at peace with my circumstances. I am not alone and I'm not afraid to ask Jesus for help.

In 1993 Modesto PD called and said they wanted to hire me. Between 1999-2006, I was assigned to the homicide unit, which I now believe was a God thing. I dealt with death and violence on a daily basis. I had spent many hours with the families of dead people and I had to deliver more death notifications then I like to think about. In 2002-2006 I was one of the lead homicide detectives on a very high profile murder case that brought media from all over the country and even some foreign countries. During the murder trial I was put under the microscope and some very bad things were reported everyday on every TV network. I was isolated in another city for the trial, alone in my hotel room with nothing but a bottle of scotch and a TV. "Detective Brocchini bad cop?" is what was streaming on the FOX News ticker tape. I watched one of my partners become an alcoholic and lose his wife and family to divorce during this investigation. The pressure was incredible. I felt I was letting the victims family down, my police department down and my family down. After the 5th day on the witness stand I got down on my knees and prayed for strength. The message I received from God was "your not alone." I held onto that message for the rest of the trial. I stood with my head held high as Scott Peterson was found guilty of 2 counts of 1st degree murder and sentenced to death. I later learned the victims family, my department and my family never lost faith in me. Today, I am still confident that I am "not alone" and my Lord is willing and waiting for me to ask for assistance.

I believe there is nothing I can do to earn my way to eternal life. A lot of good people will not make it to heaven because they have not excepted Jesus' free gift. I am not one of those people. I am 100% confident my name is written in the book of life and I will live in heaven after I die on earth.