Honoring the Life of Deputy Chris Dewey

Fellow Sheepdogs:

I just got back from Deputy Chris Dewey’s police funeral in Minnesota so will try to keep this week’s newsletter appropriately manageable. First, thanks go out to all who prayed for us regarding yesterday’s events. How it all came together on my end was nothing short of a miracle as God made it abundantly clear that I was to be there. As most are aware, I do not solicit funds for this outreach (although donations are most welcome). That said, God laid it on the hearts of a couple of folks to provide the means -- unsolicited mind you -- for me to go to Minneapolis so that I could do my part to honor Chris and minister to his wife Emily, family and colleagues (truly God-ordained/God-provided). In addition, and again without my asking, Minneapolis PD Sgt. William “Bill” Palmer arranged to pick me up at the airport, lodged me in his home (many thanks to Bill’s wife Lisa), provided transportation to the events, and then got me to my departing flight! Bill is MPD’s Public Information Officer and a major coordinator for this monumental event -- outstanding behavior and way “above and beyond” (but Bill also agrees that God clearly arranged all that as well). I’m blessed by our newly-formed friendship.

Among my fellow speakers was Emily’s sister, Hannah Bergman, who had us all both laughing and in tears. Hannah is currently in the Milwaukee PD academy where she is following in her brother-in-law’s footsteps. In addition, Emily’s Colorado pastor – Jim Burgen of Flatirons Community Church in Lafayette -- gave a powerful Christ-centered, seed-planting message that proved to be a very tough act for me to follow. I had the honour of giving the internment message at the cemetery where I talked about the fact that Chris knew Christ as his Savior and that he IS with the Lord because (and ONLY because) of that life-changing relationship. I also shared the source of our authority and calling as peace offices as detailed in Romans 13:1-7 but pointed out that being “God’s ministers for good and a terror against evil” does not grant LEOs some kind of heavenly “get out of hell, free” pass as many wrongly believe. Rather, our Lord tells us that HE is the ONLY way to salvation and that we can never be “good” enough to get there on our own or by virtue of our office (see John 14:6, Acts 4:12, and related passages). No doubt I upset a few folks with this truth but the truth is what God sent me there to share (and what Chris would want me to tell his friends and loved ones). My hope is that together Jim and I were able to convey both God’s love and the urgency (tomorrow is promised to no one and there are NO second chances once this life ends) of making a decision for Christ in light of the untenable alternative.

The ceremonies concluded with MPD Dispatch airing the final “10-7” radio call for Chris (yes, my face was wet with more than sweat). The overall event was done with great respect and style – a truly outstanding effort by all involved (including but not limited to Minneapolis PD, Hennepin County SO, Living Word Christian Center, and many more). God’s hand was clearly in all of this and it was an incredible honour to attend, participate, and celebrate the life and service of Christopher Dewey. God used us to plant seeds with well over 2000 LEOs and family members and it was a blessing to see the outpouring of support from the public who turned out along the route to the cemetery. The media was asked to honor the Dewey family’s wishes for a degree of decorum/respect and we were relieved that see that they were true to those wishes. Below you will find links to some of the news stories (photos, videos, etc.).

Please keep Em , the families, and Chris’s colleagues in prayer during this time of healing.

DEWEY FUNERAL STORIES, VIDEOS & STORY LINKS:

(1) Story http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/288173/

(2) Slideshows: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kstp/sets/72157624755213296/show/
and http://kstp.com/news/stories/S1703325.shtml?cat=1

(3) Story with good slideshow/photos: http://www.startribune.com/local/north/100984584.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUsX


Meeting Remider that TONIGHT’S MEETING IS CANCELLED!

Again – and as previously announced -- we will NOT be meeting tonight due to my having to be in Minneapolis on such short notice. We’ll be back on schedule next Thursday as per the updated meeting schedule in the following post. I’ve also posted some new pics of Chris and Em taken before he was shot in February of 2009 – scroll down to the bottom of the page. In addition, I will post a detailed recap from Erv Meyer’s outstanding teaching from our August 12th meeting in next week’s newsletter – stay tuned.


PRAYER REQUESTS have been updated -- see following post and check back frequently for new updates.


Finally, I’ll close on a positive story about our returning veterans and those who turn out to greet and honor them – including our former Commander-in-Chief (thanks to all those who have been forwarding this to me): http://action.afa.net/Detail.aspx?id=2147497560.

Let’s stay safe, exercise sound tactics, and come home to our families at end-of-watch.