Alaska Police and Fire Chaplains | 2020 National Crime Victims' Service Awards Tribute Video

DIANE PETERSON: When a chaplain responds to a crisis, we come as a person of peace. We're there just to bring some comfort in the moment.

They've lost someone, or they've been a victim of a violent crime. Their mind is in a whole disarray, so we can come in and just sit with them. That allows the officers or the detectives to do what they need to do, and the families are well cared for. So, we'll get some resources for the family. I'll hook them up with the homicide guide.

BIANCA CROSS: The chaplain's mere presence is a large part of how the community is healed, because they are in and out everywhere.

They are there. They say, we will help you with funerals. We will help you with taking that next step into counseling. We will help you with finding another resource, if it's not us, that can help you along.

DIANE PETERSON: It just walks them through the next steps, because they're going to have many questions.

OFFICER: It even talks about what the medical examiner does, so that's super helpful.

DIANE PETERSON: The mission of the chaplains is to serve those who serve, and by serving our first responders, we help our community. We've been in and out of remote areas for 40 years. As chaplains, when we go into a village, they're familiar with our agency. 

We partner with Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium or the Native Medical Center or Victims for Justice.

CASSIE FROST: As Captain Case alluded to, we provide advocacy resources to individuals who are impacted by violent crime.

DIANE PETERSON: The first thing that anybody wants is to tell their story, and sometimes it's hard work to speak up. But if you can help empower them with their voice, then justice can be served.

Unfortunately, Anchorage has had a lot of homicides. Alaska Victims of Violent Crimes Memorial is a space that provides some light and comfort to the families of those who have lost somebody through violent crime. 

You try to shine that light of hope, that there is somebody that's going to walk through this process with you, because grief shared is grief diminished. And we're all in this together.