'Heart of a Cop' -- Police/Fire Chaplain's Book Reveals Life on the Streets, Stories of Faith From the Line of Duty

The book contains compelling accounts of the challenges faced by first responders when sirens scream and lives are changed forever, as well as the 360-degrees perspective faced in being right, being tough, and being human.

"The Heart of a Cop" is available online in paperback and eBook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books-a-Million, and at area bookstores.  

Chaplain Lynchard, a 40-year veteran of the ministry and public service, has personally observed and assisted both civilians and emergency personnel. He heads a 17-member cadre of chaplains working with more than 1,500 police officers and fire fighters serving a major city with a metropolitan population of nearly one million persons.

He's seen conflict and heartbreak from both sides of crime and tragedy. His role routinely places him in the living rooms of both victims and officers of virtually every faith. The ordained Baptist minister, pastor of Fisher Baptist Church, Sand Springs, OK, is a licensed pilot and freelance writer for several law enforcement and Christian publications.

The investigation into the high-profile shooting of Terence Crutcher, a black man, by a Tulsa policeman on Sept. 16, 2016, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1SvIXdjTTA), hits home with Lynchard.

"The times in which we now live seed an unsavory fear in the hearts of both citizen and police," he says. "That fear is fed by lack of communication and understanding. In such an environment, everyone loses. We can let our imaginations run amiss or we can seek to understand. The latter is the premise of my book."

NCEP's Walsh: 'Inspirational . . .Refreshing '

John Walsh, Assistant Director of the National Center for Emergency Preparedness, endorsed the book: "'Heart of a Cop' is not your typical cop story; it's much more. True telling and inspirational. It's a collection of stories that captures the real meaning of being a police officer.

"The situations and events often faced by law enforcement officers encompass a wide range of emotions. Reverend Lynchard's thoughts and insightful observations provide a refreshing perspective of our not so perfect world," Walsh added. "He reminds us that even in tragic circumstances, faith in God and in our humanity can bring about a true sense of peace."

The Tulsa Police Dept. is currently featured on Arts & Entertainment Network's "The First 48," a cable and satellite program. An A&E producer and two photographers are embedded with Tulsa homicide detectives as part of a contract, now in its third year, between the City and A&E. It expires in July 2017.

The homicide division's 96% "case solved" rate is among the nation's highest. (Video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PrK0YHmzVw)

"God supplies the paint for a silver lining in every cloud," Lynchard says. "It is often applied, however, by the unlikeliest of hands. Someone must be willing to step inside our uncertainties and with sincerity, commitment and professionalism, paint the beauty. Some of them wear a uniform."

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS: Danny Lynchard, Tulsa, OK, 918-596-9138, Email, or Carpenter's Son Publishing, 615-472-1128, Email

Carol L. Mersch, Author-Journalist, Tulsa, OK, Email.

Photo credits: Cory Young, The Tulsa World

SOURCE Danny Lynchard