Chaplain For Tulsa Police, Fire Department Shares Journey In New Book

Lori Fullbright, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Tulsa police officers and firefighters are thankful this Thanksgiving for a man who plays a crucial role in their lives, a man most Tulsans never even see.

Danny Lynchard has been ministering to crime victims, officers and firefighters for nearly 30 years as the chaplain for both departments.

Danny has recently written a book that has stories from the streets, of what it's like for the men and women protecting us every day and how we can all learn from those encounters.

Mention his name around police officers and firefighters and from the greenest rookie to the most grizzled veteran, you will hear only high praise. He's a man who's been right beside them for three decades, steadfast, always ready with the perfect words.

"I've married them and buried them and I've celebrated their kids births, married their kids, it's a lot of fun," Lynchard said. "These really are good people, top of the line."

Danny counsels officers through difficult times and he and his staff of chaplains get called out at all hours to deliver terrible news with great compassion to family members and offer comfort to victims of unthinkable tragedies. He shares his view of how officers face those situations with courage and valor, in his recent book, Beef Stew for Cops.

"I wanted to help policemen see God for who he is and I wanted families to see their cop for who he is," he said.

But many people not involved in law enforcement have found inspiration in the pages of his book. One man reads the stories one by one to his Sunday school class.

Officers and firefighters know that no matter what is going on politically, personally or professionally, Danny Lynchard is a constant presence of calm and kindness, humor and a handshake.

"Who can you say is there for you no matter what time of the day or night, whether it's personally or professionally," said Tulsa Police Sergeant Mike Huff. "He did the service for my mom's funeral. What can you say, he's just a wonderful guy and you can't measure that."

Danny will tell you he's been the one amazed and humbled by the men and women he ministers too and he never stops appreciating what they do for all of us.

"I'm thankful while I'm sitting around the table enjoying a wonderful feast, with all my family there, that there are men and women who are still going to man the fire trucks and still man the police cars and be there to watch out for us when we don't even think about it," he said. "That's what I'm thankful for."

Danny Lynchard has guided officers through many tough times on the department, most recently the indictment of officers and the police layoffs and through it all, has never gotten in the politics or taken sides and officers have come to count on that.