I was raised by a father and mother who were Doctor and Nurse. A sheltered life was not my experience, as I witnessed births and deaths at an early age. As a Doctor in a small town, my father was also the coroner, health officer, and assisted as medical examiner. Looking back with what I know now, I see that he also provided Chaplain services to victims of accidents, and to families who experienced loss of loved ones, as well as time spent with police and sheriff deputies.
I developed an early appreciation and respect for police as I experienced them and what they do through watching my father interact with them. I was invited to tag along with my father to various scenes like, auto accidents, accidental deaths, and suicides. In my mid teens, I was seriously considering a career in law enforcement because of my positive exposure and role models I spent time around. However, all of that changed when my father took me for my first airplane ride. I was hooked and spent the next thirty years involved in my chosen career as a professional pilot.
My airline career came to a screeching halt when I developed a medical condition that would not allow me to continue my duties as an airline pilot. A number of years passed as I searched for that “sweet spot”, or perfect fit I had experienced for so many years in my flying career. Then shortly after the 9/11 disaster I started meeting people who were involved in Police Chaplaincy. As if a light came on, I thought; “hey, Iʼve seen that before, watching my father interact with the guys in law enforcement”. Long story short, I am my fatherʼs son, and have been fortunate enough to be assigned to the Fairview Police Department as their Chaplain. What a great opportunity to serve first responders at FPD. I think I found my “sweet spot”.
I married my high school sweetheart thirty eight years ago, and have raised two children together, and now have six grandchildren with another one on the way. I have spent twenty five years plus in Christian lay ministry, involved with youth ministries, adult Sunday school classes, as well as leading home Bible studies. I have volunteered with Responder Life in their ministry to all first responders and their families. I love the outdoors with all itʼs beauty. I am nuts about anything with a motor on it, especially our motorcycle which I call “phsycle-therapy”.
Paul F. Schmidt
Chaplain, Fairview Police Dept.
pschmutz@comcast.net
