Chaplain Gaylord primarily serves the men and women of the Wetumpka Police Department.
Occupation: Pastor at Centerpoint Fellowship Church in Wetumpka
Education / Training / Experience: Chaplain Gaylord has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and two master’s degrees that he earned while serving in the Air Force. He also has a master’s degree in Christian Ministry with a specialty in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University. Chaplain Gaylord has four years of experience as a police Chaplain and has completed the ICPC Basic Chaplain’s Academy Course as well as specialized training in Group Crisis Intervention, Basic Life Support, Trauma Care, Human Trafficking, and Officer Involved Shootings. He has also completed pistol and rifle weapons qualification with the Wetumpka Police Department.
Awards, Recognition by professional organizations, military etc:
Chaplain Gaylord retired as an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel after completing a 22-year career in the military. While on active duty he earned numerous medals and ribbons including the Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), and the Gulf War Campaign Ribbon (w/ 2 Stars). Chaplain Gaylord was awarded the Wright Brothers Leadership Award as a faculty member at the Air Command and Staff College and was recognized by Federal Computer Week Magazine as one of the Top 100 leaders in the Federal Government for his work in helping Small Businesses compete for government business in the IT industry.
Hobbies: In his leisure time, Chaplain Gaylord enjoys genealogy, shooting, camping, and hiking.
Clubs and Organizations: Chaplain Gaylord is a member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC), the Air Force Association (AFA), and holds a life membership in the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and the National Rifle Association (NRA).
Family Life: Tom is married to his lovely wife Dawn. They have been married for 34 years and have three grown boys and one daughter-in-law.
Church you attend: Centerpoint Fellowship Church
Favorite scripture: “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others” 2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT).
Why I chose to be a chaplain: As a pastor, I have a passion and call for shining the light of Christ into the dark world and for serving the men and women who protect our communities daily. While I don’t have a law-enforcement background, my military experience is beneficial to me as a police Chaplain because it translates well into the high-risk and high-stress environment of police work and because many police officers today have prior military experience.
