Four crisis-trained chaplains are responding after Saturday’s deadly shootout in Tallahassee, Florida.
At the request of the Tallahassee Police Department, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team has sent chaplains to minister to law enforcement officers following the death of Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Smith.
Smith was shot and killed Saturday morning by a man that police say lured officers to his home by setting it on fire and having a neighbor call 911. Both Leon County Sheriff’s deputies and Tallahassee Police officers responded and were fired upon before a police officer shot and killed the gunman.
Kelly Burke, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team’s manager of deployment and logistics, is leading the chaplain team. Burke, who is a 25-year veteran of the Tallahassee Police Department, was already in Tallahassee responding to the Florida State University campus shooting when Saturday’s tragedy unfolded.
Burke has been asked to speak at a prayer vigil and will also be attending the fallen officer’s funeral. He and the rest of the chaplain team will be available to local law enforcement officers for emotional and spiritual care.
