Virginia police officer Mervin Mayo captivated the “AGT” audience with his heartfelt rendition of Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud, dedicated to his beloved wife.

Mervin captivated the audience and judges, including Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Simon Cowell, and Sofía Vergara, with his touching backstory. The officer has an impressive 19-year tenure with the force and has devoted his life to helping at-risk youth, drawing from his own experiences as a troubled young person.

“I grew up in a housing project in Richmond, Virginia,” he shared. There was also a program known as the Police Athletic League. A police officer named Curtis Simmons became a mentor to me because I had a tendency to get into trouble when I was younger, and he always looked out for my well-being.”

“I owe my life to him,” Mervin continued. “And I, I thank him for that ‘cause I tell people I’ve seen more murders as a child than I have as a police officer.”

Mervin’s love for serving is only matched by his love for singing. However, he had always lacked the confidence to showcase his talent beyond the confines of karaoke bars. Mechelle, his wife, encouraged him to pursue his dreams and try out for AGT.

“My wife is the reason that I’m here today,” he said. “She encourages me to pursue my passion. Music flows through my veins, it’s a part of who I am.”

When Mervin Mayo brought his wife on stage and shared a heartwarming moment, it was no surprise that he received four votes and advanced in the competition.

Make sure to catch Mervin and the rest of the Season 19 contestants as they battle it out on America’s Got Talent every Tuesday night at 8/7 C, only on NBC.