Shield a Badge with a Prayer

At the Mid Year meeting, the Texas State Council introduced a program called “Shield a Badge with a Prayer.” This was a program started over 25 years ago by the parents of SK Pat Henz, Star Council Award Director. He and two of his brothers are police officers in Fort Worth and Arlington and all three are Brother Sir Knights. In the last year, the attacks on police have increased and there is a need to show support for the law enforcement community.

The “Shield a Badge with a Prayer” program is designed to show support to local Law Enforcement Officers through daily prayer. The Texas State Council is promoting this program as a “Community” Activity” and encourages your Council or Assembly to start a “Shield a Badge with a Prayer” program. The goal of “Shield a Badge” is to have every officer “adopted” and to have a daily prayer said for that officer’s Safety, Good Judgment, and a Safe Return Home. The commitment is for ONE year. The officer’s name and badge number is given to the prayer sponsor. There are NO promises beyond a prayer every day (no personal contact, no phone calls, and no gifts.)

Since the Mid Year meeting, there have been several councils that have started this program within their city or council area. Those cities that have large departments can start with the local sector or police station. A council could also support a specific unit: homicide, crimes against children, SWAT, etc.

There are certain rules and guidelines that need to be followed in order to implement this program. Also, the council’s coordinator will need to contact the department and get the final approval from the Chief of Police or Sheriff. One way of making this contact would be through the police Chaplin or community officer. For a complete set of these rules and guidelines, please check the Texas State Web page. The Texas State Council is also providing “Shield a Badge with a prayer” thin blue line wristbands for prayer sponsors. This is a nice little reminder to pray each day for their assigned officer.

If you have any questions or need any help getting this started in your community, please call or email Pat Henz, Star Council Award Director pghenz@yahoo.com or www.shield-a-badge.org