The life of an emergency worker can be filled with over-the-top stress. Law enforcement officers, firefighters and health-care workers encounter situations where they are required to perform at the highest level possible. However, problems can arise when they, and others, fail to take into account their humanity.

That's where chaplains enter the picture. Chaplains are specially trained ministers who provide an abundance of services to the men and women who do the jobs that keep the rest of us safe.

A Navy veteran and pastor for 27 years, Butch Farnum has been the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office chaplain since 1993.

"I got into this when (Orangeburg Department of Public Safety) Sgt. Thomas C. Harrison was killed in 1993," Farnum said. "We had some law enforcement chaplains come in to help following that tragedy."

A group called Citizens Against Crime was formed, and Farnum said he was asked to be a part of it after Sheriff C.R. Smith and the city inquired about having chaplains of their own. The group conducted research and presented their findings to both law enforcement agencies, which established chaplain programs. Farnum said he and four others went through extensive training to become chaplains.

"Becoming a part of the inside of law enforcement as the chaplain, I see the dedication of the deputies and how hard they work," he said. "Those in law enforcement are highly scrutinized in the courtroom and by the public. If that weren't enough, anything that can happen in the general public is multiplied with officers. Incidences of substance abuse and divorce rates are higher.

"Not only do I try to educate the officers on how to reduce their day-to-day stress level, but I also educate the administration on what conditions should be corrected or improved upon to make things easier."

Orangeburg County Sheriff Larry Williams says having a department chaplain is one of the best initiatives he's seen in law enforcement.

"It's important to provide a guiding light in the darkest moment," Williams said. "Those chaplains I've dealt with are nothing but supportive, creative and innovative to know how to say the right thing or nothing at all."

Williams praised Farnum's work, which he says was crucial last May when OCSO Cpl. William Howell was shot and killed.

"Butch is a remarkable chaplain," Williams said. "Butch has a vast knowledge in trauma, and he is a person that doesn't appear to have to think about it -- it's just automatic. During that case, Butch had his mental notes, and he was able to navigate through the fog present at the time and for many weeks and months afterward. He helped many of our deputies with that situation, including me."

St. Andrews United Methodist Church's pastor, the Rev. Mike Smith, serves as chaplain for the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety. He says being a chaplain is a completely different ministry.

"There are aspects of being a church minister that chaplains don't have, and (DPS) Chief (Wendell) Davis could not be more supportive," Smith said. "Chaplains don't have administrative or teaching duties, just pastoral care."

Smith said his duties include everything from praying at functions to riding with officers and firefighters and visiting department substations.

"I don't force myself on the officers but just provide them an outlet if they want to talk," he said. "Probably the most demanding part of the job is being on call for tragic events, like the doctor that was holding his young son hostage. In the midst of a tragedy, where the officers on scene were forced to shoot the suspect, there were a number of trained chaplains that helped out that day. Among those were Jon Ropp (Trinity Presbyterian), Butch and Paul Hamilton (the Regional Medical Center chaplain). Jon is an Air Force Reserve chaplain, and I was an Army chaplain in the Reserves. I know all the chaplains in the county, and we really back each other up here. I've never had this kind of positive interaction with clergy in anyplace else I've ever been."

Davis says having a chaplain is central to the department's operation for several reasons.

"Law enforcement officers are notorious for having a tough and rigid exterior, which is something the public expects, too," he said. "But we have found that internalizing the horrible situations officers experience has a detrimental emotional and physical effect. Having a department chaplain like Mike gives the officer an outlet to express feelings and thoughts confidentially. They can use the chaplain as a stress release and coping mechanism."

Smith is also expected to be in the debriefing sessions that follow critical incidents, Davis said.

"This allows the officers that were involved to relieve the stress they may not even realize they have," he said. "Another positive byproduct is for the community itself following such incidents. For example, Mike was at Orangeburg Foods after a work

accident where an employee died. He spoke to the employees and was able to help them in the aftermath.

"We've had a number of good chaplains, and Mike is no exception. We are also looking for additional chaplains who can provide coverage anytime."

Calhoun County Sheriff Thomas Summers also has high praise for his departmental chaplain, the Rev. Phil Flowers, who serves as pastor of Bethel AME Church in St. Matthews.

"I absolutely think it's a positive for our guys to have someone they can talk to when needed, and we have somebody praying for us, which we can all use a lot more of these days," Summers said. "We are fortunate not to have a lot of high crisis situations here, but Rev. Flowers comes when he is needed. He also helps identify people for our Project HOPE (Helping Our Precious Elderly), where we check on the elderly and assist them with even the smallest things wherever possible."

The Bamberg County Sheriff's Department is unique in that its chaplain is also a sheriff's deputy. Eddie Williams Jr., the department's special operations captain, has been a pastor since 1989. He said he's always being asked if he is still preaching.

"It's kind of amusing because it seems to cause a bit of wonderment for folks," Williams said. "The proper question is 'Am I still policing?' I initially started in law enforcement with the Barnwell County Sheriff's Department in 1993. Law enforcement is my secondary job to supplement my primary income as the pastor of a small church.

"There can be a difference in the roles of a law enforcement officer and a minister, but from my perspective, it's really all one thing. In both jobs, you advise, talk with and comfort people, but you also encourage, admonish and counsel. I've been rewarded by going into law enforcement, and with my experience on both levels, I'm able to relate to the officers easily and they to me because I see things from their perspective."

Farnum says while emergency workers encounter stress throughout the year, holidays tend to create additional burdens.

"The cop or the firefighter or emergency medical technician wants to be home with his or her family, but crime and the potential for fires and accidents go up, so they have to work more hours," he said. "Add that to the fact the pay of the average officer isn't what it should be, which hinders what he would like to do for his children or loved ones, and you can see where this can cause problems.

"Let me reiterate that they are people, too. They have feelings and good

days and bad days like everyone else. Be reminded that they live in a glass house. At the same time, they do their jobs and do them wanting to serve and protect."

T&D Staff Writer Phil Sarata can be reached by e-mail at psarata@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

You must be logged in to comment.