I was born into a law enforcement family in Spokane. My dad, Don Sr., worked for 35 yrs as a Spokane County deputy sheriff, retiring as the captain of detectives in 1996. I grew up with deputies visiting our home, regaling me with “war” stories as I sat in awe of what they did and what they represented.

After a couple of years of college, I started my law enforcement career back in the days of revolvers for duty guns and no computers in cars. Yes, I am that old. I was privileged to work with great people in patrol and detectives, retiring from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol sergeant in 2014. I had also served 22 years in the National Guard, retiring in 2009. During my time as a sergeant, I used my post 911 GI bill to obtain a degree in Biblical/pastoral studies, never intending to change careers.

However, God seems to always have a better plan. In 2014, I, along with my wife, answered God’s call to retire and enter full-time pastoral ministry. We accepted this position with a church in La Pine sight unseen, moving there on July 31, 2014. A few years later, I met Chaplain Lyman Flenner, who covers south Deschutes County, and he educated me about Central Oregon Public Safety Chaplaincy. This brought back memories of how my chaplains in Spokane were always available to help with the ugly calls, and to provide wise, unjudgmental counsel whenever I asked for it. My wife and I prayed about this, then I approached my church board. One of them stated he wondered why I took so long to explore chaplaincy here, as he had several friends who were deputies in Deschutes County. So I took this as an answer to prayer, applied, was accepted, and went to DPSST chaplain academy in 2018. I have served as a south county chaplain since.

The following passage of scripture is my motivation for serving you all as a chaplain. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. (NKJV)

It has been said, “pain shared is pain divided, and joy shared is joy multiplied”. Yes, we are here for victims and family, but especially for you, the 1st responder. It is an honor to serve you and our community.

Chaplain Don Manning

P.S. I am the other Don Manning