VCSO Swears In New Chaplain

Assembly of God Pastor Tom Fauth was sworn in as the new Valley County Chaplain by Sheriff Tom Boyer on Sept. 29, in the Valley County Courthouse basement courtroom. Fauth is taking over the position from Chaplain Owen Childers who resigned from the position.

Fauth has spent his career at Assembly of God church, first as a youth pastor for 15 years and then a senior pastor, which has been his role ever since. He grew up south of Opheim where he farmed and ranched from 1983 to 2000. While raising his daughters, he felt a calling in his life to serve stating "We had teenage daughters and was wanting to invest in other students and teenagers. I just knew what I needed to do," he explained.

During the swearing in ceremony, Sheriff Boyer explained how important it is to have a chaplain not only for the law enforcement department but for the community as well. "It's an important position for our office to have because it's good for us to have someone to talk to. When tragic situations occur, it requires a spiritual minded person to be there. Also during coroner duties, there are situations and times where access to a chaplain for the family is needed," stated Boyer.

Pastor Fauth was vetted for the position by Gallatin County VC Sheriff's Office Chaplain Warren Hiebert, who has served Gallatin County in the role for over 30 years. The addition of this role in the Sheriff's Department was a result of conversations Sheriff Boyer had with Hiebert regarding his experiences. "What I took from his stories is the opportunity for empathy and caring for someone who is hurting. We can provide that to the communities we serve," stated Boyer.

After the swearing in ceremony, Sheriff Boyer expressed excitement for Fauth to join the department. "We are excited to bring you on as part of our office. We would love the opportunity for you to know us better. We want you to feel welcome here and to take advantage of what we do and see what we do," explained Boyer to Fauth. Chaplain Fauth echos the same excitement. "I want to be able to help people walk through unfortunate incidents and for officers to have the freedom and the knowledge what they are telling me isn't going anywhere," he told the Courier.

When the swearing in ceremony was complete, Fauth jumped feet first into his new role by getting to know the deputies at a meeting that was paused in order to hold the ceremony.