Peace Makers - Killed "Line of Duty" Barbourville Advocate

The Bible says in the Book of Matthew, “Blessed are the peace makers”, and the death of Bell County Deputy Sheriff Sean Pursifull causes me to remember that the community of law enforcement members are considered blessed according to God’s Word because of their profession and calling as instruments of peace and order.
I am humbled in service and been blessed to have had the privilege of serving as a Chaplain for several law enforcement agencies and emergency services departments and organizations through my life and ministry. At Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where I attended for my M.Div., I participated in special outreach events with Bill Glass Prison Ministries, trainings sessions about crisis management and seminars about the call to law enforcement and emergency services chaplaincy but there is nothing that really prepares you for the type of call Bell County received on Thursday, January 11, 2008.
The death of Deputy Sean Pursifull on that Thursday night was a sacrifice that he had mentally and emotionally dealt with having been a police officer and deputy for several years. His training in the Kentucky Justice Department Academy dealt with the call to service and he was aware of the price many had paid in service to their communities and Sean believed his talents and energy would best serve Bell County through this career choice and he was right. Departing life is not something that any dwells for one day, but rather it is something that we spend our entire lives preparing for little by little. Understanding our level of comfort and adjusting to the demands of duty brings honor by the way we live our lives and depart this life.
The passing of Sean Pursifull in the line of duty, at the age of 31, adds his name and service to a list of others who have also paid the ultimate sacrifice in Bell County. A total of nine officers have been killed in the Line of Duty beginning in 1890.
Here in Knox County we too share in the list of fallen heroes that God’s Word calls “Blessed” because they are peace makers. We should take time to remember all those deputies and police officers and we should strive to never forget to mark and dedicate the call of their service to duty as law enforcement officers who gave their all for us.

Knox County:
Charles West, age 42, Jailer, Line of Duty, Friday November 23, 1923;
Barbourville:
James C Smith, age 43, Chief, Line of Duty, Friday, July 20, 1962;
Corbin:
Charlie W. Howard, Policeman, Line of Duty, Friday June 30, 1933;
Glenn Scalf, Police Officer, Line of Duty, Tuesday, July 1, 1941;

God’s Word is clear, “Blessed are the Peace Makers” of which we still have driving the streets of our cities and county roads. “Blessed are the Peace Makers” of which we still have directing traffic, working accidents, writing reports, serving papers, answer calls, assisting motorist broken down along our county road ways. “Blessed are the Peace Makers” of which work behind the scenes, undercover, covert, and without any recognition or notice. “Blessed are the Peace Makers”, of which begin a career in Law Enforcement and never experience such heartache and woe. “Blessed are the Peace Makers”, because God’s word says, “for they shall be called the children of God”, Matthew 5:9.
The presence of our Sheriff and others from the Knox County Sheriff Department, the Barbourville Police Department and the Corbin Police Department, joining alongside 550 other Sheriff Departments and Police Departments brought a sense of pride, dignity and respect for Knox County because of their loyalty to brotherhood and service to mankind.
The work continues and the wiliness to be an ultimate sacrifice should remind all of us to thank those families who paid such a cost for our liberty and protection and to follow the Bible in her instructions to “give honor and respect to whom it is due”. Remembering the heroes and servants of days past is very important, and honoring those among us today even more important.

Until then