While at was at camp…the police officers I am privileged to team up with were back home doing their thing. Sgt. Michael Holly and members of his shift began their week on Monday by being summoned to a drowning. A 15 year old who would have been in Mitchell’s graduating class got in trouble in the swimming area of Lake Granbury adjacent to the city beach. I am certain that Sgt. Holly’s crew and rangers with the Brazos River Authority were very compassionate toward the young boy’s father. His funeral is today in Granbury.

And then last night I received word that Granbury police officer Jon Ubinger was unexpectedly thrust into action on his day off. As Jon’s wife was working in the yard, she noticed smoke coming from their neighbor’s home. She ran in the house to find Jon. At first he wondered if it was smoke from a barbeque grill, but he soon determined that was not the case at all. The back door was too hot to get near, so he proceeded to the front door. I know a lot of us have seen cops kick doors in dating back all the way to Starsky and Hutch days, but in real life it is not nearly as easy as it looks on television!

Officer Ubinger is a former marine. (Although I have been told that there is no such thing as a “former” marine.) He is no sissy. It took him 7 or 8 tries, but he finally kicked that door in. I am glad he was there instead of me, because I am just not convinced that I am that stout. He proceeded to crawl through a home that was completely smoke filled, and dragged his 52 year old neighbor to safety. Years of training and experience as a law enforcement officer paid off yesterday afternoon. The female victim was immediately airlifted to Parkland Hospital in Dallas.

I had to do some serious thinking last night. Sgt. Holly and Officer Ubinger are great friends. We find our way to the golf course together as often as we are able. We share meals together. I often ride on their shifts. They do their jobs well and I try to fulfill my role as chaplain as well as possible. Both us are called to serve at crisis events that have a good ending and we also are thrown into those that do not have a happy conclusion.

When I speak to groups about my chaplaincy ministry, I always say: It is a privilege to serve the servant. Sometimes I say: It is a privilege to serve those who protect and serve. Last night I internally renewed my commitment to these fine men and women. How could I be more proud of the group I am called to serve?
I will be ready to get home next Friday. All of the Granbury PD officers will be out to assist with the July 4th parade and related festivities on Saturday. It is an all hands on deck weekend with over 50,000 visitors coming to Granbury. I will fix up some of my famous chaplain burgers for all of them right after the parade. There will be teasing and joking. It will be a great time. But this year I will do it with a greater appreciation for members of the team I am so privileged to serve.

While I was at camp, lives were being risked to save others….