Nonprofit invites faith leaders, community to bless badges for local law enforcement on Saturday
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IDAHO FALLS — A local nonprofit is inviting faith leaders from all denominations and the community to come together and bless badges for local law enforcement.
The event, called the “Blessing of the Badges,” is hosted by the Chaplains of Idaho. It will happen on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at 525 River Parkway in Idaho Falls. The event is part of a national movement that brings communities and law enforcement together as part of Faith & Blue. Click here to learn more about Faith & Blue.
There will be hot chocolate provided by Paul Davis Restoration Services during the event.
“I served as a chaplain in Sacramento, and badge blessings were a regular thing. It is always such an honor and a privilege to bless an officer’s badge, so this event is very exciting,” said Christa Trinchera, executive director for Chaplains of Idaho.
The iconic Idaho Falls waterfalls will be illuminated in blue for the inaugural event. The blessing will take place on the waterfall overlook. Turning the falls blue to honor law enforcement is something that Trinchera says she has wanted to do since she moved to Idaho Falls in 2020.
Trinchera told EastIdahoNews.com in an email that the event is an opportunity to show law enforcement that they are loved and supported.
“We will be coming together to pray prayers of protection over them but not just about their physical protection but about their mental and spiritual protection as well,” she said. “The harsh reality is that we are three times more likely to lose our law enforcement officers to suicide than in the line of duty.”
Trinchera said if you are not a person of faith and choose not to pray, it is okay just to come and show support and say thank you to an officer that night.
Chaplains of Idaho are made up of volunteers who serve first responders and the community and provide veteran support. Trinchera explained Chaplains of Idaho serve as constitutional chaplains, which means they do not provide spiritual council unless that type of council is requested by the individual they are helping. There is a 24-hour hotline for support at (208) 471-8111. Click here to learn more.
The nonprofit recently changed its name and was previously known as Law Enforcement Chaplaincy of Idaho. The name was changed due to expansion. The nonprofit started two years ago and only served law enforcement agencies. They have now since grown to serve fire and military veterans.
The organization serves nine agencies and five counties in eastern Idaho:
- Bonneville County
- Madison County
- Clark County
- Fremont County
- Jefferson County
- Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office
- Madison County Sheriff’s Office
- Fremont County Sheriff’s Office
- Idaho Falls Police Department
- Rexburg Police Department
- Swan Valley Fire Department
- Idaho Falls Fire Department
- Clark County EMS
- Rigby Middle School
“My favorite part about this organization is helping our first responders. They know by passing a situation on to a chaplain that the individual or family of a victim is being cared for and hopefully leaves them feeling better at the end of their shift so they can sleep peacefully,” she said.
Trinchera doesn’t know how many people will show up on Saturday, but she hopes that they will come out in force and join in praying over all law enforcement heroes who put their lives on the line each day to keep people safe.
“Knowing their community supports them can go a long way for our law enforcement,” Trinchera said.
She is currently recruiting chaplains, and there will be applications available at the event. Right now, Chaplains of Idaho have 20 active chaplains serving.
