Salvation Army Chaplains To Attend Vigil For Milwaukee Police Officer
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Salvation Army Chaplains To Attend Vigil For Milwaukee Police Officer
MILWAUKEE COUNTY - The Salvation Army will be present at a vigil for a fallen Milwaukee police officer Monday night.
Officer Charles Irvine Jr, 23, was killed in a crash during a pursuit. Irvine is the first Milwaukee officer killed in the line of duty in 22 years.
The vigil will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 11 at the accident site, 76th Street and Silver Spring Road, in Milwaukee. Members of The Salvation Army Chaplaincy Program will be present for support.
"Since Thursday evening, Salvation Army chaplains, led by Pastor Alexis Twito, have been at the scene of the crash, at the hospital, and at the District Four police station," said Major Steve Merritt, the Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army of Wisconsin & Upper Michigan. "They are providing whatever comfort they can; some prayer, a listening ear, and mostly just a loving and calm presence."
The chaplains are among many, including the Police Department Wellness Team, Police Association, Peer-Officer Support Team, and Shielded Hearts, providing needed support to the officers in this difficult time. They will continue to work with the officers until their need is met.
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About The Salvation Army Chaplaincy Program:
The Chaplaincy Program is a partnership between The Salvation Army Milwaukee County and the Milwaukee Police Department. The chaplains are called to critical incidents when police determine emotional and spiritual care is needed, including: homicides, drug overdoses, house fires, fatal accidents and suicides.
About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. The Salvation Army tracks the level of need across the country with the Human Needs Index (Human NeedsIndex.org). Locally, 88 cents of every dollar raised is used to support programs and services in Milwaukee County.