"I've never seen anybody that has the kind of heart for people that Chaplain Donna has," admits Sgt. Keith Shackleford, of the Abilene Police.
When a crisis strikes, Chaplain Donna is there, ready and willing to help out in any way possible.
"It's not about me," she says, "it's about them, where they're at and what their needs are."
Recently Chaplain Donna, as she's known, was recognized for the job she does by winning the Ken Ashlock Award, as "Chaplain of the Year," an award she says goes beyond just herself. "I said [upon receiving the award] 'I receive this award on behalf of every officer, trooper, and deputy because we are a team."
While she's proud of the award, she admits it doesn't change the focus she brings to her calling, "I mean, I'm very proud to receive it, but that is not what drives what I do." Instead, the real focus, she says, is doing everything she can to bring peace in the storm. Something she describes as a service, "If they [the officers] call, then I will come and everything within me is driving me to do what I can for that officer."
As Sgt. Shackleford points out, this chaplain goes as far as she can to help someone out. "She has a heart for people and she shows it every day." Which is what he says is the essence of her service and her award.
