Chaplains program transforms lives of Valdese police officers, families

In a “melting pot” of discipleship, seven local chaplains and a support program are making a difference in the lives of Valdese police officers.

The Chaplains Programs, headed by Police Chief Marc Sharpe, support local law enforcement, providing an open space for officers to discuss their frustrations and work. The program ties in devotionals with each shift and working through a book called, “Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement” by Dr. Kevin M. Gilmartin.

Valdese police officer Tyler Angley and his wife Katie, a nurse, are seeing positive impacts in their own lives — personally and professionally — with the program. For them, the program brings together law enforcement and the “Word of God” with ideals they can apply to their lives.

UNLOADING

Burke County native Tyler started as a reserve officer in 2017 and worked his way up to sergeant in July 2023. The program creates a space where he can talk with fellow officers about the same problems or experiences in the line of duty.

“The program is great because being in a ‘manly’ profession, sometimes people don’t really talk through all the bad stuff that we go through or the frustrations we have,” Tyler said. “Most of the time, we try to just tough it out and it ends up getting to you and you don’t think that everybody struggles with the same thing.”

Each chaplain and officer bring in a different perspective, coming together in a “melting pot of discussion,” Tyler said. If a fellow officer is going through something, they can work through things together as a department.

“I believe that’s life-changing in itself because we’re working harder as a police department. Everybody has a room that we go to, and we hash things out and get everything out on the table. … So, it takes that stress baggage away and just allows everybody to have one less thing to worry about.”

CLOSER TO THEIR FAITH

Although the Angley family attends church regularly, they are now closer to their faith and have become more compassionate.

“Both of us have grown greatly in our faiths in the last year. We’ve both just developed strong, genuine relationships with Jesus that we’ve never had before. … We definitely want to pass that along to our kids. Not only are we trying to spread that to both of our kids, but out in the community as well,” Katie said.

She also has gained insight from Tyler’s involvement in the program through the discussions and scriptures shared. His growth has had a rippling effect on their family and friends. She said the small acts of kindness she sees from him show how much he has grown, whether it’s how he speaks to others or handles situations.

One moment that gave him cold chills was one of their first devotionals, centered on the verse Proverb 27:17 NIV: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Chaplain Ronnie LeFevers headed the devotional. Tyler had read that verse a few days before the devotional and wanted to understand it better.

“It wasn’t a coincidence. It was what I wanted to hear, because at that point in time, I wanted to be an instructor, and then I got that lesson, and then I told Marc that I wanted to be an instructor because I wanted to help people,” Tyler said. “I wanted to teach at least the next generation of law enforcement coming in.”

Tyler had decided to go to general instructor school and when he was asked why he wanted to teach, he recited that proverb.

Tyler added, “He sharpens me while I sharpen somebody else.”