Go Code 7
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Paypal
  • Rss
  • Newsletter
  • Inspirational Thoughts
  • Officer Alpha Stories
  • CCW
  • Officer Support
  • Our Mission
  • Contact / Prayer
  • Donate
Home» Officer Alpha Stories » Officer Charles

Officer Charles

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Wes in Officer Alpha Stories

Officer-Alpha-Filewith-text

Officer Charles

I was assigned to ride with Officer Charles for the evening.  Once we made brief personal introductions and walked to the patrol car, I was pleasantly surprised when Officer Charles came right out and informed me where he stood in his faith.  He was an open book and shared some very personal information about his life.

As I recall he said, “I started to live with real faith recently.” He lifted his sleeve and showed me a bracelet he was wearing in honor of his faith with the date of his commitment clearly inscribed on it.  “I was going through a very difficult period and had lost nearly everything I valued most.  I needed answers,” he said.  “I had heard a lot of things about God over the years, and even went to church, but never really felt I needed Him for myself to this level.  Once I became completely honest with myself and my seemingly hopeless situation, I realized God was real and that He was the answer.  When I humbled myself and asked for His help, my life and priorities totally changed.  God has done some pretty amazing things in me.  I am a completely new person.” Officer Charles was not ashamed to let me know about his darkened past and how God had changed his life.

I was excited to hear such great news! What a great introduction!  I know that as chaplain, I have a great responsibility to confidentiality, and people are supposed to feel free to talk to me about spiritual matters, but Officer Charles’s faith was the boldest I have experienced in uniform.

Most officers don’t come right out and talk of their faith or their commitment to God.  Maybe it’s because they are being careful not to be seen as having “gotten religion” by their co-workers; maybe they are being careful not to overstate things in case they somehow misrepresent their beliefs by their choice of words or actions while we are together on patrol.  Whatever the case, I have found it’s rare to have an officer initiate such an immediate open conversation about God.

It was great to get to know Officer Charles and to hear the story of his changed life.  There have been plenty more challenges for Officer Charles since I first met him, but I am confident he will be just fine through every one of them as he follows Christ.

Thanks, Officer Charles, for being bold about what God did in your life, and thank you for encouraging me and my work as chaplain.  May you continue to be a testimony and an influence to other officers as you serve in this vocation and live your life honoring God.

Next time you see a cop, smile, say hello, and lift a silent prayer for their safety and salvation.

Wes.

Officer Alpha stories, Officer Charles

Email Signup

About The Author

wes headshotWes Anderson has more than 30 years of full-time pastoral ministry experience. He has been serving as volunteer Chaplain to the Chula Vista Police Department since 2008 and with the Citizens’ Adversity Support Team responding to crisis and trauma since 2006.

CODE 7 is an overflow of his heart’s desire to provide consistent encouragement and support to the needs of law enforcement personnel throughout their career.

OAS
donate

Sponsors

bonita-valley CM-Butler Counseling chic donnyscafe

ccsd

EastLake Church

Chula Vista POA

National City POA

Glen Abbey Mortuary & Cemetary

(c) 2024 All Rights Resereved - Code 7 - PO Box 211913 Chula Vista, CA 91921