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Supervisor Ranalli recommending Board:
1) Recognize Chaplain Tim Thompson for his vision and leadership that led to the establishment of the Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, and for his service and dedication in providing over three decades of spiritual aid, comfort and support to law enforcement personnel, active military personnel, military veterans, patients at Marshall Hospital and those in our community who are affected by a crisis; and
2) Approve and authorize the signature of all five members of the Board of Supervisors on Proclamation commending Chaplain Tim Thompson for his continued commitment to serve the men and women who serve our country and our community, their loved ones, and the countless number of individuals who have received comfort and support from Chaplain Tim Thompson and the Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy. (Est. Time: 20 Min.)
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For the last three decades, Chaplain Tim Thompson has provided spiritual aid, comfort and support to law enforcement personnel, active military personnel, military veterans, patients at Marshall Hospital and those in our community who are affected by a crisis.
The Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy was formed by the vision of Rev. Tim Thompson who was serving at the time as the Associate Chaplain to the Sacramento Police Department, the Sacramento Sheriff's Department and the California State Police. In addition, he was a reserve police officer and reserve deputy with these departments and served these agencies as a law enforcement chaplain for seven years. But as a resident of El Dorado County, Chaplain Thompson wanted to do something for the members of the law enforcement community where he lived.
In 1990, Chaplain Tim Thompson began providing part-time chaplaincy services to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department. Tragic incidents that occurred within the first year made it apparent that El Dorado County's law enforcement community was in need of an established chaplaincy program. In 1992, Chaplain Thompson began a full-time law enforcement chaplaincy program in El Dorado County. The Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy program has grown and developed to provide a diverse service to many individuals throughout the county as an ecumenical ministry that responds to the needs of victims and officers, regardless of religion, belief, denominational background or lack thereof. Today, the Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy provides services to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, El Dorado County Probation Department, El Dorado County District Attorney's Office, Folsom Police Department, Placerville Police Department, California Highway Patrol Placerville Office, and the U.S. Forest Service.
Chaplain Thompson's military career began in the United States Navy in June of 1965 where he served his country as an enlisted person, on active duty and in the active reserves. After a nine year break in service, he enlisted in the Oregon Army National Guard where he was trained as an infantryman. However, he wanted to serve his country in a different, deeper and more meaningful way, leading him to obtain a commission and serving in the United States Army's Chaplain Corp. for many years, promoting through the officer ranks to Lieutenant Colonel before he retired. During his service, Chaplain Thompson was mobilized for Desert Storm and served as the Family Support Director. He was mobilized again as part of the Global War on Terror from 2003 to 2005. During this mobilization, Chaplain Thompson conducted many entry and exit debriefings for soldiers and made death notifications to families of soldiers killed during the war, providing spiritual comfort and support to dozens of families who lost their loved ones in combat.
Today, Chaplain Thompson continues to provide support to local veterans and their families through the Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy and as an appointed member of the El Dorado County Veterans Affairs Commission. He is also the Chaplain at Marshall Medical Center, providing service to every area of the hospital that includes the Medical-Surgical Floors, the Transitional Care Unit, the Intensive Care Unit, the Emergency Department, the Surgical Unit and the Palliative Care Program.