(l-r) Ventura County Sheriff’s Chaplain Randy Tucker and Rotary Club President Andy Klittich. Tucker was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club meeting. Photo courtesy Rotarian Martha Richardson.

The guest speaker at Fillmore Rotary Club was Randy Tucker, a Chaplain with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. In 1998 Ventura County started a chaplain program. The individuals involved are licensed or ordained clergy. They are available to people who need hope and comfort after a bad situation. They could be survivors or officers who need someone to talk to. They may go to hospitals or funerals wherever they are needed. Randy said he likes to go to the Sheriff’s briefings so he knows what’s happening and he likes to go on ride-alongs so he will know the officers and build their trust. The chaplains are trained to handle stress and other issues and are on call 24/7. There are five chaplains in Ventura County. He said it is important to pray for all officers and other first responders every day.