FROM STAFF REPORTS

Sheriff Chris Curry and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office are proud to announce the recognition given to one of its employees and a volunteer chaplain from the Shelby County Law Enforcement Chaplain’s Association by the International Conference of Police Chaplains on July 29.

Lt. Mike Dehart was recognized with the Detective Stuart O. Nelson Liaison Award for extraordinary service in support of the Shelby County Chaplains Association.  Dehart is the senior lieutenant with the Sheriff’s Office and has dedicated much of his 25 year career to working with the chaplains.  Lieutenant Dehart is to be commended for his dedication and service to the citizens of Shelby County.

Chaplain Alvin (Mac) Stinson was recognized for achieving the Fellow Credential Level which is the ICPC’s highest credential given.  Stinson completed over 1,000 hours of professional study, 20 years of law enforcement chaplaincy and acquired at least 40 specific credit hours of study.

Stinson has dedicated his life to service and faithfully served the public and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office since 1996.  He was instrumental in developing what is regarded as one of the best law enforcement chaplain’s programs in the country in Shelby County.  Chaplain Stinson is to be recognized for his commitment and service to the citizens of Shelby County.

The ICPC began in 1973 following the tragic death of three federal law enforcement agents.  The delivery of those death notifications was the catalyst for what would later become an international organization dedicated to “developing professional law enforcement chaplains through dynamic education and support”.

“We began our chaplain’s program in 1994 and it has been a great success,” Curry said in a news release from the organization. “These men and women have volunteered countless hours helping others in the worst possible situations.  I cannot express how much I appreciate who they are, what they stand for and what they do.”