Sheriff Chris Swanson says the greatest moment of his life was when "the spirit came down" and inspired him to preach love during a protest.

With tensions high and emotions on edge following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, a sheriff in Flint, Michigan on the front lines of a Black Lives Matter demonstration put down his gear and began preaching.

The protest, which took place in late May, started off small but grew by the hour.

The group eventually made its way towards the local police department and as this happened officers, who had witnessed what was happening in other parts of the U.S., prepared for a riot by grabbing their batons and shields and creating a frontline.

Swanson's own father, who had worked as a police officer during riots in Detriot, warned Swanson to not go into the crowd.

"All I could think is how did we get here? Just a week ago we were heroes for COVID-19 and now we're the world's biggest villains because of one bad act," Swanson says.

While geared up and standing on the front line with police officers, Swanson saw one small act of humanity in the crowd, a fist pump from one of the officers on the front line.

Looking around, Swanson laid eyes on a street pastor who he has been friends with for five years in the crowd of protestors. That pastor was the same one who worked with the police, doing diversity training with the group.

Sheriff Swanson took off his riot gear, putting down his baton.

Feeling moved, Swanson walked over to the pastor and gave him a hug. From there, the lead organizer made his way over and Swanson gave him a hug.

Swanson then began to listen and preach while marching with the group, which was caught on camera.

"It was at that moment that the hand of the spirit came down and not only touched that crowd but has created a movement globally and I have been called upon to be in the crosshairs of it, and it was the greatest day of my police career," Swanson explains.

One of the biggest things that Sheriff Swanson has taken away from the whole experience is to always remain obedient to God.

"When I walked in that crowd I had zero fear, I was at total peace because the Spirit of God was there," said Swanson. "I even said to one of my buddies, he was second in command, we just witnessed the Holy Spirit turn this thing."