Law-enforcement chaplains from across the area gathered Oct. 4 in Long County to build on their relationships and show support for each other.

The Region 9 Georgia Sheriffs Association of Chaplains held a luncheon at Jones Creek Baptist Church and shared a meal and fellowship. Members and supporters of the Long County Sheriff’s Office prepared the meal for the group of about 40 attendees. In addition to personnel from Long County, other counties represented were Appling, Effingham, Camden and Chatham.

According to LCSO Chaplain Hermon Scott, the meal was planned so that the chaplains could nurture existing relationships and create new ones.

“Getting together like this, we can build on what we have with each other,” Scott said. “Sometimes, situations arise when we are serving, where we may need some help from a surrounding county, or vice-versa. By us getting to know one another, we already have a relationship, and we’re not just calling on a stranger.”

Scott, who is the pastor at Baconton Missionary Baptist Church in Walthourville, said he looks at the LCSO job as similar to his work at his church.

“I try to do the same things for the people at the sheriff’s office as I do for members of my church, but for personnel in law enforcement, they have to face things that people on the street don’t come in contact with, so it can be different,” Scott said.

“Whether it is a shooting or a family problem, I want to be there for them. They don’t come right out and talk to you at first, but if you are out there riding along with them, they will begin to talk. And most times that’s all they need — just to have that outside person be able to listen,” he added.

Region 9 GSAC Chaplain Ronnie Rentz had high praise for Scott.

“Chaplain Scott has been doing a good job. He has been out there with the officers, and in his short time, he has shown that he wants to be committed to both the department and the citizens,” Rentz said.

In addition to the meal, Capt. W. Luther Hires, who is the coordinator for the Coastal Area Traffic Enforcement Network, brought a vehicle-rollover simulator to the meeting. Hires showed attendees how a person can be thrown from a vehicle during a rollover and how lethal the ejection can be.