I WILL GO WITH YOU
INTO THE DARK
SHORT STORIES OF THE
ALASKA STATE TROOPER CHAPLAINCY
DEBRA MANNING
WALTMAN
PO Box 221974 Anchorage, Alaska 99522-1974
ISBN 978-1-59433-537-2
eBook ISBN 978-1-59433-538-9
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2015944339
Copyright 2015 Debra Manning Waltman
First Edition
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in any form, or by any mechanical or electronic means including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, in whole or in part in any form, and in any case not without the written permission of the author and publisher.
Manufactured in the United States of America.
Dedication
To my husband, Chaplain Boyd Waltman
our sons,
Nathan and Neal Waltman
my mother,
L. Arlene Manning
my late father,
George D. Manning
and
the Alaska State Troopers
Acknowledgements
Thank You to:
Former Commissioner of Public Safety, Walt Monegan
Former Director of the Alaska State
Troopers, Audie Holloway
Major Dennis Casanovas
Lieutenant Kat Peterson Shuey
Investigator Sherry Ferno
Cassandra Bryne
Jennifer Burkmire
Without their encouragement and advice the Alaska State Trooper Chaplaincy would not be successful.
***
A Special Thank You
to my brother, George Manning,
and to Dr. Jim Waller,
for their help in preparing this book.
Introduction
T he Alaska State Trooper Chaplaincy was established in 2008 by Boyd and Debra Waltman and is under the advisement of the Director of the Alaska State Troopers. It is a non-profit organization, created for the sole purpose and goal of serving the Alaska State Troopers, the Village Safety Police Officers, and Village Police Officers and their families. Boyd and Debra have been serving the Alaska State Troopers since 2002.
While Alaska State Trooper Chaplains across the state of Alaska present themselves as non-denominational, their priority is to serve without regard to race, sexual orientation, or religion. The chaplaincys goal is to serve law enforcement and their families, plus those in communities who have lost loved ones or have been involved in traumatic incidents.
Some of the short stories may have a dark humor connotation to them. However, no disrespect is meant by it to families who have lost loved ones or those involved in tragedies. Dark humor is often a way first responders are sometimes able to process critical incidents and trauma they have encountered.
No names or photographs have been mentioned or used without permission to protect the Alaska State Troopers and their families, and those families in the communities.
Forward
W hen Boyd and Deb first came to me and described a plan for an Alaska State Trooper Chaplaincy Program, I was interested but concerned they might not understand the magnitude of the need nor the impact it would have on their personal lives. I immediately saw their hearts were in the right place, but I thought perhaps they would become tired of the constant call-outs in the middle of the night in below zero weather and the stress of being inserted into the pain-filled lives of victims of crime, accidents, and natural disasters.
The Alaska State Troopers deal with thousands of tragedies over a magnificent but huge landmass, so I anticipated the difficulties that would arise. I was also concerned about the correct way to incorporate volunteers into the service and if they would be accepted as part of the team, because they would impose an additional burden on many aspects of the organization. It is always easier and more professional for a trooper and the agency to deal with facts and aftermath than the costs of becoming emotionally involved. It was a void which we could not fill.
Boyd and Deb listened intently to all my concerns, considered them, and returned with solutions. In the end, they were still willing to accept the disruption to their lives, to take on the pain of others, and accept the huge amount of administrative and actual work. They did this because they saw unfilled needs, tasks that an overburdened trooper could not take on, and a way to provide emotional comfort to victims and bereaved families, to include troopers and their families in too many instances. They have put themselves at risk and suffered discomfort. They have eschewed a comfortable deserved retirement and have taken on a voluntary burden. They had a calling based upon their strong faith and they have accomplished their mission.
They have earned the highest compliment I can pay: They are spiritual Alaska State Troopers.
Colonel Audie Holloway
Former Director of the Alaska State Troopers
Role of
Alaska State Trooper Chaplains
T he role of an Alaska State Trooper (AST) Chaplain is to support the Department of Public Safety and Alaska State Troopers. Chaplains are not usually commissioned officers, but many departments across the United States do have chaplains who also are commissioned officers. AST Chaplains are under the advisement of the Alaska State Trooper on-scene. Their role is one of support. Here are some of the ways they do this:
Assist Alaska State Troopers and their families with personal and professional issues (chaplains are held to confidentiality)
Assist and advise other members of the department
Assist and advise family members, i.e. marriage and family counseling
Visit sick or injured officers, personnel, and their family members
Give or assist with Death Notifications
Assist in suicide incidents
Perform ride-alongs
Provide assistance and crisis intervention to victims of traumatic incidents
Provide crisis response team debriefings and critical incident stress debriefings
Furnish answers to religious questions; e.g. culture, different beliefs, rituals, etc.
Conduct church services, weddings, and funerals Participate in formal functions
Serve on review boards, award boards, and other committees
Instruct stress management classes for law enforcement and their families
Police Chaplains DVD, In the Line of Duty Web Page
***
In the list just provided, its important to note that the Alaska State Trooper (AST) Chaplaincys main focus is to first meet the needs of the Alaska State Troopers and their families. Whereas other law enforcement chaplaincies primarily serve the community, we feel the local church is better equipped to serve the long-term needs of families in the communities of Alaska.
One particular and important aspect of our service is taking grieving loved ones to an area away from the scene (as in cases of unexpected death) whether in a home or outside of the home. This action allows the AST to conduct their investigation without having to meet the needs of the family or loved ones (providing comfort and safety) until they have concluded their work. Being the liaison between AST and the family or loved ones helps the grieving process and allows AST to complete their work in a timely fashion. Alaska State Troopers are then free to answer any questions the family or loved ones may have.
Into the Dark
I will go with you
