The Rev. Freddy J. Clark, pastor at Shalom Church (City of Peace) in Florissant, is the St. Louis County Police Department’s newest chaplain.
On Sunday, January 18, St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar presented Clark with the department’s Chaplain’s Badge in a service at Shalom. Clark joins about 20 chaplains representing a variety of religions within the department, according to St. Louis County Police.
Belmar said leaders like Clark are “few and far in-between” and that “he brings us all together.” Clark expressed a mutual need and respect for law enforcement.
“There’s some good and bad in everything,” he said. “If you don’t think we need them, just start looking around.”
Top elected officials and law enforcement officers representing several municipalities, the St. Louis County Police Department and the Missouri Highway Patrol filled three rows of reserved seating. They included newly elected St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger, Missouri Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson, St. Louis City NAACP President Adolphus Pruitt and St. Louis County Councilman Michael O’Mara.
Stenger visited Shalom with U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay during Stenger’s general election campaign against Rick Stream, a Republican who was supported by a caucus of black Democrats who represent areas of North County. Shalom has campuses in Florissant and Berkeley.
Cedric Clarkson, who chairs the coalition and direct action committee of the St. Louis City NAACP, said the African-American community in North County has had enough violent crime and that law enforcement can play a huge role in stabilizing the community.
“No community can thrive and grow without professional law enforcement services,” Clarkson said.
Stenger said that collaborative gatherings are essential for building relationships and trust between the community and law enforcement.
“Like any good relationship, we need you and, I think, you need us,” Stenger said. “We need public safety, and we need you as a community.”
Stenger thanked Clark for his support during the general election. In October, Clark expressed support for Stenger and hosted him at Shalom when Ferguson was tense. Stenger was opposed by many black Democrats for his intimate political ties to St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch, whose handling of the Darren Wilson case outraged many and led to a sustained outcry for McCulloch to recuse himself. Stenger’s support for McCulloch never wavered.
Clark’s sermon at the police chaplain service drew from the Bible’s Parable of the Good Samaritan and what it truly means to “love thy neighbor.” He said our neighbors are not defined by those who share the same geographical space or the same ethnicity or social status. Yet, these are the things that far too often define and alienate people.
Clark said these differences at times make it difficult for people of status to see and respect those who don’t share the same privileged space. The social tensions we are experiencing are a result of people not “seeing” each other, Clark said, and not understanding that we’re all children of God.
“We’ve got to find a way to love and respect everybody,” Clark said. “God made us all.”
Capt. Ron Johnson, who attended the service with his wife, Lori, received a standing ovation and was asked to make brief remarks. Johnson said that youth inspire him and remind him that we as a community must do better.
“We’re here today because together we make each other better,” Johnson said. “Together we can see brighter tomorrows.”
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