Police Chaplain

POLICE CHAPLAIN PROGRAM

Welcome to the “Office of the Chaplain”. Our chaplains are truly thankful for the opportunity to serve our men and women of law enforcement, their families, and those they serve and protect.  We also wish to say thank you to the many families, businesses, churches and organizations for your support to our officers and our chaplain program.

The Alton Police Department Chaplain Program is established for the purpose of providing spiritual and emotional support to all members of the Department, their families, and members of the public. No one is confronted with more situations that demoralize and create emotional, mental, and spiritual burdens than today’s law enforcement officer. These burdens also affect the officer’s family and other members of his or her department. Law Enforcement agencies need specialized guidance, counseling, and assistance for their officers, families, and communities. This pastoral care is offered to all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, creed, or religion.

The Law Enforcement Chaplain is led in his or her own faith to be available and ready to serve those in need. The Chaplain’s ministry provides a source of strength to the law enforcement officers and their families, other department members, and the community. The law enforcement officer’s clergy person or religious adviser in their private life, although trained in ministry, is not necessarily abreast of the particular problems and dangers faced by police officers. Chaplains listen and participate in the workplace of law enforcement officers with empathy and experience, advising calmly in the midst of turmoil and danger, and helping when appropriate or requested.

Lead Chaplain Marc Lane – began his criminal justice chaplain calling in 2000 as he entered the county jail and then with Madison County Probation & Court Service. This work included assignments to our Madison County Drug Court and our 50 bed Madison County Juvenile Detention Home. In January 2011, after careful research into the many needs of our department and our community, Chaplain Lane was sworn in as Alton Police Department’s first Police Chaplain. Chaplain Marc also served our Illinois law enforcement as Associate Chaplain with the Fraternal Order of Police. In 2017, Chaplain Marc resigned his duties with Probation and IL-FOP to allow for his serving as Senior Chaplain with Madison County Sheriff’s Office & Jail. Serving the two largest law enforcement agencies in the county was made possible by the support of his Hometown, Alton, his home church, where he served on pastoral staff for over 22 years and his strong faith in God. After retiring in 2022 from his pastoral position at his home church of Calvary Baptist – Alton, Chaplain Marc continues to lead a strong group of volunteers from across our area, in a Riverbend reach to those caught in the struggle of life. This faith-based 12 Step Celebrate Recovery addresses both freedom from addiction, as well as the core character issues to why we do what we do. Married, with three children and eight grandchildren, he and his wife Patty stay active and engaged with everything from college football (Go Bearcats) to reading bedtime stories to the little ones.

Chaplain Marc continues to support our Alton community through both Riverbend First Responders and their open bible studies for area First Responders as well as life impacting support groups through the unfailing support of his home church.

Chaplain Lane is disaster relief trained by SBC with advanced training in the areas of grief and trauma with Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). Chaplain Marc Lane is a Full Member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is a graduate of the International Conference of Police Chaplains with Senior Police Chaplain credentials. He also carries Certified Master Chaplain credentials with the American Board of Certification for Homeland Security. Chaplain Marc Lane has trained and served passionately with his fellow law enforcement families for over 25 years.

Chaplain Lewis “Ray” Vajda – sworn in as Associate Chaplain in February 2023 has lived in Madison County since 1998.  Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee Chaplain Ray would say he is still an ole southern boy at heart.  He has made Godfrey his home since 2000.  Ray has been married to his wife Cathy for over 30 years.  They have one child, an adult son.   Ray is a U.S. Veteran of 23 years, split up between three services: Air Force, Coast Guard, and the Navy.  His military experience has given him an interesting life as a Firefighter, Law Enforcement Boarding Officer, and heavy equipment operations team member.  While in the military Chaplain Ray attended Spurgeon Baptist Bible College where he earned a degree in Biblical Studies.  Once retired from the Navy, Chaplain Ray went to work for the Village of Godfrey in their public works department.  After 16 years with the Village of Godfrey, Chaplain Ray retired in August of 2021.  His retirement from the Village of Godfrey allowed him to now serve as the camp director for what was the Alton Police Youth Camp, now KOZ (Kids Outdoor Zone) Compound. Officers and their families from all over the Metro-east have visited the camp for both agency and personal activities. His military and chaplaincy work have clearly displayed that He has a heart for our men and women on the frontlines. Chaplain Ray loves the outdoors and enjoys hunting and fishing.

Message for Alton Clergy – The Alton Police Department Chaplain Program seeks to connect with all faith leaders of this community and as the spiritual leader of your church, we would love to extend to you a closer (inside) look at your Alton Police Department. Please contact Lead Chaplain Marc Lane for more information on a clergy station-house tour and officer ride-along. Our Chaplains can be reached 24-Hours & 7-Days/Week through our secure voicemail pager at 618.463.2407 or email at mlane@cityofaltonil.gov.