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Chaplain
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The article below was written by Chief Bean in 2003 I would like to expose another side of my Pastor, Joey Hight, which not everyone may be aware of. But first, let me say that Pastor Hight has been an extraordinary friend, advisor, counselor, partner, backup (that's scary!...and what else did he want me to write) through the past nine years as the West Plains Fire, Police and Howell County Sheriff Department's Chaplain. As the chaplain for those agencies, his duties and responsibilities have been to notify families of a death of a loved one, and after making contact, stay with that family and assist with calling other family members, and other arrangements. I remember recently a husband who found his wife dead, and became very angry and violent. Pastor Hight counseled the man and helped him contact his children who lived out of town. For law enforcement officers this takes a big load off of our shoulders. He has assisted families that have lost their homes to fire. I recall how he helped a family that had lost their family pets in a house fire. They commented to me how much they appreciated the way he handled that situation. It's a joy to have Pastor Hight around for things like that. Some of his other duties are dealing with domestic violence situations. Having someone that's a neutral party allows the officer to restore and resolve the altercations peacefully. All of the officers enjoy having him around during these types of situations. (We wonder if he learned his peace-making tactics at home or church.) One of the main jobs as a chaplain is being available to assist in suicide or homicide investigations. We allow the chaplain to work right inside the crime scene. This allows him to answer questions that family members or friends might have. It's been noted among the officers how well he handles these types of situations. (I told them you should know some of the people he has had to pastor.) (continued in next column at top) |
One night he was doing a ride along with me that
ended with him saying, "the Good Lord left the patrol car, and I'm
getting out with Him." We had arrested an individual for driving
while intoxicated and was in the process of transporting him to the
police station to conduct a breath test. While in route to the
station, another officer called and stated he had a gentleman run
into the woods with a gun. He was working a family disturbance. 1
had activated my red lights and siren to drop my drunk off at the
station so we could assist the other officer. We turned onto
Broadway and came over a small hill, and a car pulled out in front
of us. I applied my brakes and I saw that we were going to collide,
so I released the brakes and tried to steer around the vehicle. I
remember telling Pastor Hight to "...hold on, I think we are going
for a ride." The drunk who was handcuffed and restrained in the
front seat was yee-hawing with delight; Pastor Hight was praying. We
struck the left front of the car, which caused us to veer left,
heading right for a large elm tree. 1 steered hard to the right
striking the curb, jumping the curb, and down the sidewalk we went.
I applied a death grip on the steering wheel and held on. We missed
several trees, two large road signs and stopped right in front of a
fire hydrant. We all sat there for a little bit and I asked if
everyone was all right? The drunk said, "Officer I hit them a coming
and you hit them a going." Pastor Hight's first words were "I
thought I saw the Lord jump after we hit the car, and I knew we were
in trouble then." The rest of the story, the car that pulled out in
front of us was also a drunk, who ended up in jail along with the
first drunk. The officer in the foot pursuit arrested the man that
ran into the woods without incident. (continued in left column below) |
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Ending on a serious note, Pastor Hight has brought a trust to the Police and Fire Departments. It's unusual to see this accomplished from someone outside law enforcement and especially a preacher. The police and fire service is a tight brother and sisterhood, because they deal with everybody else's problem. Most of the times we can't ever share things with our spouses because of confidentiality, so who do we call? "Preach," Pastor Hight's nickname. When personnel get depressed, overwhelmed, or have marital problems, they do not feel comfortable talking to just anyone. I can't count the times officers have called wanting to know where "Preach" was, or they have called him personally and said, "Preacher, I'm on my way over, I need to talk to you." That could be day or night.
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Within the Police Department he
is #599, and with the Fire Department he is #499, and I would
personally challenge ministers to consider going to you local Police
and Fire Departments and offer your services as a chaplain. If you
would have any questions or would like for us to assist you, feel
free to contact Pastor Hight or myself. Looking back now, I see how
it has developed a better Police and Fire Department for West
Plains. Chaplain Hight, thanks for all you have done for all of us.
O yes, if you are ever driving through West Plains and see a short, stocky, graying guy standing in the road acting like he owns it, don't be surprised if it isn't Bro. Hight, he may even have a gun, but don't be alarmed, we don't' let him have any bullets!!! |
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