Chaplains
Bill Has served as a trained and approved volunteer Chaplain at the prison in Bohnam, TX. At the prison he led two teams for twice monthly prison ministry. He has also been involved in ministry with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and Bryan Baptist Association.
Chaplain Brent Smith is the lead pastor at LifeSong Nazarene church in Durant. He joined us in August of 2020. He has had a rewarding ministry over the years and a successful background as a public servant in law Enforcement. He felt a calling to law enforcement in 1989, the gospel ministry in 2001 and moved into full time ministry in 2003. He was later ordained as a church Elder with a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry.
Brent's service in three departments has allowed him to work in dispatch, detention, patrol, and investigations. This has given him a well-rounded understanding of law enforcement. He has worked in DeRidder, LA, downtown OKC, Oklahoma University, and in Chickasha, OK. He completed the CLEET academy in December of 1992 and completed his full-time service in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Brent and his wife, Michelle, have been married for 26 years. Together, they have five children; a nurse, homemaker, contractor and two Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers. They are also blessed with two precious grandchildren, ages 4 and 5. Brent enjoys construction work as a side job, hunting, fishing, physical fitness, and always desires to be an encourager. He has continued with an urgency to help people in need. His life experiences allow him to reach across social boundaries to minister to both law enforcement officers and the community
Tribute to "Chappy" :
Chappy passed away March 14th 2014 and is missed dearly. Chappy had represented our department as a Disaster Relief Chaplain in Arizona for the forest fires and went to Florida for hurricanes Charlie and Ivan. She helped the victims and also encouraged the disaster relief workers."Chaplains are responsible for the organization and development of the spiritual organizations in the department, and provide counseling for officers and other personnel," said Chaplain LaWanda Mabery. "We are involved in public relations efforts and provide liaison with other religious leaders in the community, give death notifications and assistance to victims."
Our volunteer chaplains program officially started in December 1997 with the appointment of LaWanda Mabery as chaplain. The officers nicknamed her "Chappy" and that's the name she went by. Chappy was a member of the professional organization, International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC) and she received an award from the Regional ICPC for "Excellency in Chaplaincy." The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma also named Chappy "Chaplain of the Year."