Missoula Sheriff’s Department Seeking Chaplain

For the past thirteen years, Pastor Chuck Lee served as the chaplain for the Missoula County Sheriff’s Department, however, he retired back in June and according to Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Brenda Basset, there are some big shoes to fill.

"Our long-serving Chaplain Chuck Lee recently moved to the east coast to be closer to family," said Bassett. "He was really just a huge part of our department and he really put his heart and soul into helping, not only the law enforcement families, but the whole community, it's going to be hard, but now we're trying to fill that position."

A bid posting for the chaplain position asks for someone who has experience with death notifications that can be available 24/7 and warns potential applicants that “Divorce, suicide, substance abuse, and early retirement are common among law enforcement personnel who are routinely party to deeply disturbing incidents during a normal workday.”

"They are really there to be a sounding board for officers and for their families," Bassett said. "A lot of people don't really know what officers deal with in their daily work... they see death all the time... suicides, people at the worst time in their life... it really takes a toll."

The job posting for the Missoula county sheriff’s chaplain position will end on November 30. In 2007, deputies decided to increase their own dues in order to help fund the position, which is also supported by a benefit dinner each year.