Go CODE 7

11/11/2025

Code 7 Connection Newsletter Qtr 3, 2025 -

These past couple of months have been full of hills and valleys. Great things have happened and tragedy has struck. As Chaplain I get to celebrate promotions, retirements, weddings, captured criminals, and cases closed. I also take the journey with the cops through the valleys.  A recent deep valle...

08/01/2025

Code 7 Connection Newsletter Qtr 1 & 2, 2025 -

The year started off with a bang, literally. I was riding along with National City Police New Year’s Eve  when there were multiple callers to 911 about an argument at an apartment complex with a man having a gun. Everyone hurried to the address. When we arrived we saw a few people walking away an...

12/28/2024

Code 7 Connection Newsletter Qtr 4, 2024 -

A chaplains primary role is to help connect people with God. There is no cookie cutter way to  accomplish this but it is certainly influenced by the trust that develops between the chaplain and officers. •Confidentiality is KEY!

10/09/2024

Code 7 Connection Newsletter Qtr 3, 2024 -

Being called out to help families or police officers with su***de is one of the toughest assignments. Whether serving as chaplain or crisis responder, there is no easy entry into the deep water of this type of death. Families and loved ones are devastated believing they could or should have done mor...

06/12/2024

Code 7 Connection Newsletter Qtrs 1 & 2 2024

Quote of the Quarter
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” ~ Jesus

RELATIONSHIPS
As a young man in ministry, one of my mentors told me that “relationships are more important than personal accomplishments.” The phrase grew in my heart and became one of my life values and a quote I have repeated over the years. The trajectory of that phrase influenced how I connect with people and serve.

When we esteem others as treasured and valuable, we build a community with sustaining support for one another when life takes its dips and turns. Our plans are not always God's plans, nor our ways His ways.
When life on this earth ends, I don’t think it will matter what the bank says you’re worth. I believe what will matter most is how you shared your years in relationship with others.

I think it is wise to keep your accounts short with others. What I mean by that is to resolve differences and conflicts as quickly as possible. If you can forgive and move forward, do it. If you work intentionally at fostering strained relationships and find a path of peace to move forward, I don't think you will regret it.

Honoring ACPC
CVPD Assistant Chief Phil Collum spent his lifetime serving others through law-enforcement. He was well loved by many and was a true influencer. Phil mentored and encouraged people to be their best and do their best. Phil‘s faith in God‘s supreme love made him a servant of many. Phil’s giant smile was his consistent welcome card.

Phil’s life was cut short by cancer but his legacy, policies, and dedication to service will live on through many whose lives he touched. A Celebration of Life service was held, and I had the privilege to speak and share a message of God's love to everyone in attendance. We’ve got it from here, Phil. We are glad you are at peace and now at home.

The Address
My phone rang unexpectedly one morning, and the dispatcher said a police officer needed my help. They told me that a police officer's parent died at their home, and the on-duty Lieutenant specifically requested I go and assist. When the dispatcher gave me the address, I knew who’s home it was.

I had been there before socially years ago. I went directly to the house, greeted the family, and stayed through the required process. The Lieutenant and another Armed Forces veteran saluted the officer's father as he was taken into the care of the mortuary. The Sgt said he had handled probably a hundred deaths but of course nothing hit so close to home - literally.

To be called on in times of crisis is what a chaplain does. We support and often spend an extended time of silence, simply being present, reflecting God‘s compassion, care, and presence in the midst of difficulty and tragedy. This is our role and a reminder to the family that God is not absent but He is present. In this case it was a relationship formed years ago that allowed me to serve in this moment of need.

Prayer Breakfast 2024
I was blessed with the support of Code 7 donors to be able to sponsor four tables at the recent Law Enforcement Prayer Breakfast. I was joined by both Chula Vista and National City Police Departments at the tables where we received an encouraging word and a gospel message.The room was filled with first responders, and it is always energizing to see so many I’ve met over the years.

Chaplain Rick
My partner in ministry and Code 7 Chaplain Rick Rojas is taking some time off. He ended up finding out, through a relatively small medical incident, that he had a form of blood cancer. Rick has been a trooper and is fighting with everything he’s got. Rick invited over the team from NCPD to hear his story. He captivated his audience of about 20 people on his patio as he shared his win-win situation.

As he describes it, it’s a win-win. He explained that if God heals him and he beats his cancer, it’s a win because he gets to be around and serve longer. Also, he said if the Lord calls him home, it’s a win because he gets to be in heaven with the Lord. His attitude is amazing and his testimony of how he’s handling his cancer and the difficulties are a reflection of his faith. We are praying for you, Rick, as you continue the battle.

Decompress
People ask me sometimes what I do to burn off my stress, so I included a couple of pictures of recent fun adventures. I like to mountain bike out in the hills of San Diego County with my friends. People ask me if I like to road bike and I say no; I’ll take the rocks and the rattlesnakes over distracted drivers on the highways any day of the week :-) Oh, and once in a while, I get to attend fun events and have a colorful parrot rest on my arm.

In Conclusion
Relationships are the basis for our Code 7 ministry to cops and the people in crisis. A relationship with Jesus is the most important followed by family and friends and the people you cross paths with. I encourage you to nurture the relationships closest to you and keep your accounts short. Thank you for your encouragement and support of this ministry.

Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective. James 5:16

12/15/2022

Code 7 Connection Newsletter Dec 2022

Celebration Time!
I’ve experienced achievement and idleness, heartbreak and happiness, tragedy and comedy. I’ve seen relationships shattered and restored, multiple promotions, a few too many terminations, and medical retirements because doctors deemed they were unfit to continue.

I’m still hopeful and trusting in God for the ability to be His hands, feet, ears, and compassionate heart to connect to others.

Living Water
With your help, Code 7 has provided an estimated equivalent of 2 million water bottles for our officers. Hydration and connection are our calling cards. A new sign was just approved to be attached to the wall above the water filtration and bottle filling station we placed during COVID. Here it is:

Over the Past 10 Years of Ministry
I’ve responded to house fires, too many su***des, motor vehicle and motorcycle deaths, and children deaths.

I have celebrated officiating officer weddings and grieved with families as I conducted cop funerals.

I was with the football linebacker turned cop when he stopped the squad car to listen for the faint cry of a kitten. He found the tiny exhausted feral fluff ball with its head stuck in the triangle of a chain link fence. He got out his leatherman and freed the poor baby. Watching the pride in his countenance as the youngster scampered away was priceless.

I’ve been in car chases, foot pursuits, stakeouts, seen infant CPR, and drunken individuals who have urinated themselves but insist they’ve only had 2 beers. I watched paramedics plug a bleeding gangster’s stab wound while he fought with them to stop providing care. I’ve seen individuals convulsing and foaming at the mouth, literally gasping for their final breaths, who, once medication had been administered, awoke and became angry that their high was cut short.

My partners have been needle-pricked while searching pockets, and stabbed in the face and arm while asking about a thrown object. I saw an ice cream truck that had smashed into a light pole, and I was the recipient of a melting treat. I’ve seen cars upside down, on their side, into fire hydrants, trees, and fences. I’ve been to intersections where people are sitting, passed out drunk, at the wheel of a running vehicle as the signal light cycles through green multiple times - yikes.

On your dime I have shared lunch with literally hundreds of officers around the county and enjoyed a few laughs as we relaxed. I’ve bought gallons of coffee to help my friends stay awake on their overnight shifts.

On many occasions I have shared my office and backyard with officers telling of their homefront stresses and asked for help. I’ve heard the disappointment and complaints of workplace politics and the relationship damage caused by the exposure to critical incidents. Through it all, I have been able to invest into the lives of our men and women of law enforcement who are sacrificing for us every day.

In Conclusion
Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your financial support through the ups and downs of the economy. Thank you for your encouraging emails and notes over the years. Thank you for your heart of graciousness and kindness to the police in your hometown.

I am celebrating the Code 7 anniversary by riding along on December 15th. I covet your prayers as we embark on the next 10 years.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1