INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) – It's a grim, but faith-filled job that's become even more necessary lately: chaplains with Indianapolis Metro Police who go to crime scenes and help grieving families.
The surge in deadly violence in Indianapolis is personally troubling for the chaplains of IMPD.
They're the pastors on the front lines of chaos who hear the screams, hold the hands and calm the loved ones in pain.
"The best thing I can offer them is just peace and comfort," said IMPD senior staff chaplain, Patricia Holman. And Holman has been doing that a lot lately.
She leads Indy's team of two full-time and 10 volunteer chaplains.
With two dozen criminal homicides already this year, she says things are getting more violent and victims are getting younger.
"Yes, I do see the increase in violence," Holman said. "I do pay attention to ages. For instance, the quad homicide that occurred last week, they were 19-21. That stands out to me. I think one of the saddest things in the world is a mom who has lost a child. And these are kids."
"These aren't just numbers, but you know somebody that's that age. You're close to somebody that's that age," said IMPD staff chaplain Orlando Jordan, Jr.
"We have young people who have not yet had an opportunity to live life, who are now gone!" Holman added.
The day after those four deaths, the chaplains led loved ones, neighbors and young people in prayer and also went door-to-door checking on residents. Murder, she says, changes everyone.
"Four people killed next door to you is a big thing," she said. "There's four bodies in the apartment next to mine or under mine or in the next building, that's a big deal."
But the chaplains' role covers more than responding to trauma.
They're also trying to reach young people before they get in trouble and show them a different path.
"We pray for it all the time," Holman said. "I believe a lot of people are lost. They don't know the value of their own lives and so they have no particular value in other people's lives. I'm a chaplain. So what do I see as a solution? My solution is God."
And with escalating violence, they're asking for everyone's help to do more.
Fighting the battle alongside police or with just one neighborhood isn't enough.
"What can we do together to say no, to say we're gonna stop this right where it is," Jordan said. "It behooves all of us to gather as a community and say 'what can we do?' Not what can YOU do, not pointing the finger, but what can we do together?"
The chaplains not only help grieving families and neighbors, they also assist police officers.
Homicide detectives and patrol officers see a lot of tragedy that can weigh on them heavily, if they don't have someone to talk with.