Celebrate Your Local Law Enforcement Officers

Southbrook Celebrates Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

Friday, January 9th, 2015 is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.  Southbrook Church expressed its appreciation to area Police Departments, by providing Kringle and Apple Cake desserts along with a personal expression of thankfulness.  Pastor Jason visited Oak Creek and Cudahy Police Departments, while I stopped in at the Franklin Police Department and the Muskego Police Department.

I have had the privilege of serving as the Chaplain for the City of Franklin Police Department.  My main role is to assist the officers during some of the most tragic calls that they encounter.  When there is a suicide, an unexpected death, a fatal accident, or the need to make a death notification – my phone rings…

4 Things I have learned about Law Enforcement Officers

-They are just like us with real issues, family struggles, fears and concerns.  We have rough days with our kids, troubles in our marriages, and tensions with our co-workers…. Our Law Enforcement officers can identity.

-Most Police Officers I know are excellent and truly care.  Most are selfless and devoted to serving the citizens of their city.  Remember, that in every profession –Lawyers, Teachers, Nurses and even Pastors– there are those who are just punching the clock. 

-When they leave for work there is a chance that they may not return at the end of the shift.  The reality is that their job involves the possibility of death.  During 2014, 121 police officers killed in the line of duty.

-Law Enforcement Officers carry enormous levels of stress.  Even in suburbs like Franklin and Oak Creek, Police Officers have to treat each traffic stop, each interaction with the public as a potential threat.  There are no simple interactions; Police Officers don’t know if the person is mentally ill, wants the Police to kill them, or is just an innocent citizen.

What we can do…

1.     Love your local Police.

2.     Pray for your Police.  Every time I see a squad I immediately pray for that officer, for their safety and for their family.

3.     Recognize the level of uncertainty and stress that their family carries each and every day their loved one is on the job.

Police Matters

The International Conference of Police Chaplains holds regional training seminars throughout the country each year.  I am thankful to the City of Franklin Police Department for providing the funds to attend this training.

This is my fifth year as the Chaplain for the Franklin Police Department. It truly is an honor to give back to the City through serving as their Chaplain. The chance to positively influence the officers and their families is truly rewarding.


A few takeaways of the conference:

• Law Enforcement Officers have higher rates of alcoholism and divorce than the general population.
• While every school holds Fire Drills (even though the last student to die in a fire was 50 years ago) -schools rarely hold Active Shooter Drills even with the higher rates of school shootings in the news.
• Every School, Business or Church should have an Active Shooter Response Plan.
• Police Families need extra love and attention.
• The prevalence of Domestic Violence is as tragic as it is overwhelming.
• Dispatchers are often overlooked when it comes to caring for those who work in Law Enforcement.
• More Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officers died by suicide in the past 10 years, than died in the line of duty.
• 'Every Saint has a past, and every Sinner has a future.' -Police Chaplain Instructor