MINNEAPOLIS, MN (October 26, 2007) \u2013 For 36 years, Tim Deer dealt with his share of stressful situations as an air traffic controller. He never imagined that in his second \u201ccareer\u201d as a police chaplain, he would be honored for his work helping others through the most awful events of their lives.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, Deer, a lay minister at Faith Covenant Church, was one of seven police chaplains to receive a special commendation badge from Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan for his work in the hours and days following the collapse of the Interstate 35-West bridge on August 1. Pat Hall, pastor of True Light Covenant Church in Minneapolis, also received the badge, which was awarded to all of the emergency workers at the scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was quite an honor,\u201d says Deer.<\/p>\n
Deer and Hall immediately responded when the bridge fell into the Mississippi River. The collapse killed 13 people and injured approximately 100. Within a day, the two were meeting at a hotel room with family members of the missing and deceased.<\/p>\n
The badge includes a simple gold outline of the bridge with the date of the tragedy beneath it on a blue background. The background is symbolic of the Mississippi River, Dolan said. \u201cThe color blue is also known to symbolize perseverance and diligence,\u201d he added. \u201cHere, the blue background recognizes both the determined efforts of first responders to rescue survivors and recover loved ones lost beneath the waters and to pursue safety, peace and justice for those we serve everyday.\u201d<\/p>\n
The chaplains also were honored by the Burnsville City Council, which gave them its Community Builders Award. Hall is a volunteer with the city\u2019s department.<\/p>\n
Deer, who had been a Stephen\u2019s minister at his church, volunteered to be a hospital chaplain when he retired from his controller career. He joined the police department\u2019s chaplaincy two years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never had a more satisfying experience than what I am doing now,\u201d Deer says.<\/p>\n