7:00 p.m. at the Lakeville Area Arts Center on Sunday, February 28th
The Lakeville Police Department is fortunate to have access to the services of an
outstanding Police Chaplaincy program that has served our Police Department for over 20
years, with Police Chaplain Mark Bellows serving as our primary chaplain for nearly the
entire time. Day or night, weekend or weekday, Chaplain Bellows has never failed to
answer his pager when we have called for him to assist the family of a victim when some
tragic incident has left a loved one seriously injured or killed.
The ability of the Police Chaplain to reach out and help a person in this critical time
through a traumatic life-changing event cannot be measured. In addition, the Police
Chaplain serves as a resource for our officers and first responders. The Police Chaplains
assist the officers in next-of-kin death notifications and often help family members with
follow-up or referral services.
A few years ago, Mark was joined in the Police Chaplaincy by Police Chaplain Jeff Dexter.
Even with the help that Chaplain Dexter has brought to the program, Chaplain Bellows
found that he could not devote the time needed to the chaplaincy.
To remedy this situation, Chaplain Bellows established a non-profit organization in 2008
called the Lakeville Police Chaplaincy Services to ensure that no cost Police Chaplaincy
services would continue to be provided to the citizens of Lakeville and the members of the
Lakeville Police Department into the future. The Lakeville Police Chaplaincy Services exists
on donations from individuals, local companies, churches, and civic organizations.
This coming Sunday night the Lakeville Police Chaplaincy is hosting its first ever benefit
concert to raise funds for the Police Chaplaincy Service. The concert will be at 7:00 p.m. at
the Lakeville Area Arts Center on Sunday, February 28th and will feature the Good News
Big Band. Tickets are available for $10 online at www.lakevillemn.gov .The entire cost of
the tickets will go to supporting the Police Chaplaincy program – I hope to see you there.
“I have been with Mark Bellows at the scenes of dozens of critical incidents including homicides, suicides, and traffic fatalities. Mark’s compassion, integrity, and concern for people were always evident. These traits are just some of the things that make Mark a wonderful chaplain.” ~ Don Gudmundson, Dakota County Sheriff and former Lakeville, MN Police Chief