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• Community invited to learn about AIDS epidemic in Africa

• Murder suspect arrested in Lodi

• Lodi bridal show highlights the unusual

• Regional Roundup

November 2nd, 2009

• Deputies name suspect in fatal Acampo shooting

November 7th, 2009

• Lodi High graduate was at Fort Hood

• Lining up for flu shots in Lodi

• Tour packs buses as birdwatchers admire Sandhill cranes

• City of Lodi staff looking into possibility of limiting number of taco trucks

• Daytime thieves targeting Lodi homes

• Lodi High School rally featured on 'Good Day Sacramento'

• Out of control

• Homicide suspect Anthony Hubbard arraigned

• Regional Roundup

• New Lodi Memorial rule to combat spread of H1N1: Visitors must be older than 16

November 6th, 2009

• Short sales make up nearly half of Lodi market

• Regional Roundup

• Lodi man accused of smuggling drugs, weapons for inmates at state prison

• 'I-5 Strangler' sentenced to 6 terms of life

• Jury convicts Acampo man of torture, assault of his girlfriend

• Young girl is 200,000th person to assemble AIDS, HIV care kit

• Woman in wheelchair struck by car

November 5th, 2009

• A lower Lodi Lake

• Streetside scarecrows

• San Joaquin County considers moratorium on new Williamson Act contracts

• Speakers address Lodi Unified School District budget shortfalls, plea to keep programs

• Armed robbers still targeting Lodi shops

• Regional Roundup

• California voters have final say over $11 billion water bond

• Weekend bus service to continue until Lodi City Council makes decision

• Paul Tebbel shines spotlight on sandhill cranes

• Your complete guide to Sandhill Crane Festival

• David Diskin is first to give an invocation under new city of Lodi policy

• Man wanted in Acampo homicide gives up to San Joaquin County Sheriff's detectives

November 4th, 2009

• Candle fire

• Rep. Jerry McNerney sets telephone town hall for Thursday

• Jason Behrmann is unanimously named Galt's city manager

• Regional Roundup

• Galt City Council argues over ordinance hiring residents

• San Joaquin County sues state over prison hospital planned for Stockton

• Big win for Allen Baroni in reclamation election

• California sends Democratic loyalist John Garamendi to Congress

• Bicycling father raising awareness of teen suicide

• Lodi City Council weighs raising fares to restore some bus service

November 3rd, 2009

• 500 attend service for Kyle Coumas

• Correction

• Galt considers ordinance that would require city contractors to hire locally

• Regional Roundup

• Have you seen a missing guide dog puppy in Lodi?

• Galt man dies after weekend Highway 12 crash

• Jason Behrmann is top candidate for Galt city manager

• Deputies name suspect in fatal Acampo shooting

• Clarification

November 2nd, 2009

• Downtown Lodi trick or treat

• Public Meetings

• Correction

• Kyle Coumas funeral today

• 27-year-old man shot to death Saturday night in front of Acampo home

• Regional Roundup

• Group investigates reports of haunting

• Sandhill Cranes Festival comes to Lodi next weekend

• Lamborghini lovers gather for show, fine wine, luncheon in Woodbridge

• Lodi's 'Biggest Loser' Christy Richesin runs 5K Halloween race

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• Bible is entwined with American civic life (135)
• I predict: A conservative tide will rise in 2010 (73)
• David Diskin is first to give an invocation under new city of Lodi policy (70)
• The Treaty of Tripoli hoax (60)
• Universal health care solves big problems (54)
• Here's what my father knew about the assassination of JFK (35)
• Stuck in neutral? Hardly! (35)
• Words from our forefathers (27)
• City of Lodi staff looking into possibility of limiting number of taco trucks (24)
• Majority cannot deprive the minority (23)

ADVERTISEMENT

Police chaplains strive to be supportive and caring figures in variety of difficult situations

My phone rings at 3 a.m. It is a Lodi Police dispatcher who is calling me because my name is at the top of police chaplain call-out roster.

I'm informed of a critical incident in which the police officer in attendance has requested a chaplain — a "critical incident" being any incident of a critical nature that involves police-related issues in which the victim or their family members and loved ones are in need of spiritual support. Dispatch gives me the nature of the incident, the address where it took place and the name of the attending officer.

Upon arrival at the scene I approach the officer, who advises me on what has taken place, along with the names of the victims and family members before I enter the family premises or site of the tragedy. Once I acquaint myself with the family, I offer prayer and spiritual comfort. This frees the police officer to do the work that is necessary in that particular situation.

The situations vary: from somebody simply requesting a chaplain to talk, to a police officer wanting a chaplain to attend a death notification with them, the tragedy of a SIDS call, an accident, an unattended death and many more, too numerous to mention. As chaplains, we strive to be a loving, supportive presence, regardless of the nature of the situation.

The Lodi Police Chaplain organization consists of eight members which include Larry Beck, Bill Cummins, Chris Guadiz, Shawn Keller, Gumaro Miranda, Phil Orosco, Rabbi Dr. Raphael Pazo and myself.

Although we each bring to the Chaplain organization our uniqueness of personality and different religious backgrounds, we all have one thing in common, and that is to bear witness to the love and power of our deity to all public safety officers, their families and the community they serve. We give comfort, hope, encouragement and loving support wherever and whenever it is needed. We honor one another's differences and support one another as a team. I've not hesitated to call upon them when I feel the need for their loving support.

The Lodi Police Chaplain organization is administered by an autonomous board of directors and the chief of police. Our board liaison is Lodi Police Captain Gary Benincasa, whose efforts on our behalf are greatly appreciated by us all. He is diligent in our police training and highly supportive to our needs. He is always there for us in whatever manner possible, enhancing our knowledge and capabilities as police chaplains We also greatly appreciate the steadfast, hard work and support we get from Police Support Services Division Secretary Julie Wall, whose many efforts on our behalf keep the necessary materials, reservations and countless other things flowing in a timely manner.

I personally feel that the incredible sense of fulfillment I derive from being a law enforcement chaplain can compare to no other, and has to be the "still, small voice" of God telling me that I'm in the right place doing His work, which allows me to experience the revelation of my completeness. It is an honor and privilege to be a member of the Lodi Police Chaplains.