need to know. stuff like i didn't know before. >> reporter: how this stranger came to be part of the family is a testament to the officer's character and compassion. officers are accustomed to seeing disturbing things, but officer shepherd knew he had to intervene when he later responded to a call at anthony's cramped apartment. >> tempers were high. tensions were high. >> reporter: there was a call to 911 and a fight between family members involving alcohol. when the officer pulled the young man aside -- >> it really bothered me because usually when i've talked to kids and i've talked to people i have an ability, i feel, to get through to them. for some reason it just ate me up inside. >> reporter: so much so that officer shepherd started making frequent trips back to the apartment. >> he's coming by every day. >> yeah. checking on me. >> i think he had a rough go. there was a lot of emotions. didn't have his dad in the picture. don't think he had a solid male role model ever. >> reporter: so officer shepherd began fulfilling that role. and when anthony's home life got