Board of Directors
Executive Director and Director - Eastern Region
Chaplain James M. Salo was a police patrol officer for 5 years in Colorado before going into the ministry of police chaplaincy. He has served as a local church pastor, evangelist, and speaker for various events. He is married to Liz, has 3 kids and seven grandchildren. He has been a Chaplain starting out with the Colorado Springs Police Dept. and various departments since, the last 16 years with the Michigan State Police, presently at the Flint Post. He is also now Chaplain for the Burton Police Dept., (2 years) a suburb of Flint, Michigan, as well as Chaplain for the International Association of Hostage Negotiators. He is an Endowment Life Member of the NRA, serves on the local county Commission on Aging, is on a weekly radio program locally and previously served 3 years on the Michigan Law Enforcement Memorial Commission at the request of his governor. He enjoys hunting, camping, traveling, reading, spending time with his wife and grandkids and leading the American Police Chaplain's Association. Besides serving as Executive Director of APCA, Chaplain Jim also serves as Director of the Eastern Region of the U.S. - territory east of the Mississippi.
Deputy Director - Western Region
Chaplain Ed Maxwell is the Chief Chaplain for the Colorado State Patrol, having served the CSP now for 11 years. He is an instructor in Life Skills for department officers as well as for the Communications Branch of the CSP, the CBI (Colorado Bureau of Investigation), and Colorado Dept. of Public Safety. He holds a Bachelors degree in Theology as well as a Master's in Leadership. Having been in pastoral ministries since 1971, he has served churches in Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado. He has been married to Eva for 37 years and has 5 children and 15 grandchildren. His oldest son Cord is a CSP Trooper. Ed is certified in CISM, Suicide ID & Prevention, Death Notification, Life Skills and Law Enforcement Stress Management. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and just being outdoors. Ed is Deputy Director and responsible for the Western Region of the U.S. - territory west of the Mississippi.
President
Chief Darrell Ellis, Montrose Township Police, Michigan. Member of Crimestoppers of Flint. Retired Michigan State Police as D/Lt. in charge of Flint Area Narcotics Group (FANG). Canine handler & narcotic’s officer—28 years of service. Deacon at his local church, teaches SS, married with 2 kids and 4 grandkids. Has coached football and baseball and was a local school board member for 4 years.
Vice President
Trooper Josh Dirkse, Michigan State Police, Flint Post 35. A towering and tough police officer, he is married with 2 children, and has been with MSP the last 10 years, all of it at the Flint Post. The son of missionaries, he is extremely active in his local church and serves as well on the local church board. He loves playing basketball, softball, lifting weights and being with his family. Trooper Dirkse has just launched a countywide Bible study for police officers in Genesee County, (Flint) Michigan.
Secretary
Rev. Scott Salo, son of the Executive Director and local church planting pastor. Married two children, Hallee and Hayden. Enjoys fixing things with power tools, lives to watch the Dewalt racing team in all NASCAR races, loves hunting big game and really likes spicey foods!
Treasurer
D/Sgt. Mike Gillett, Michigan State Police, Flint Post Detective Bureau. Received the Gerstacker Award for "Trooper of the Year" in 2010, the highest award for outstanding police service given to any member of the Michigan State Police. Is also local posts range officer conducting shooting skills regularly. Saved the Executive Director’s life when he was having a heart attack on a Sunday morning in 2008 at church and rushed him to ER. (He attends the same church as the Director.) Married with 3 children and enjoys coaching adolescent girls soccer and basketball teams. An avid hunter and active in his local church.
Member-at-Large
Chief Mike Sheldon, Morrice Police Dept, Michigan. Has been in public safety for over 20 years, 15 years spent as a police officer in Florida. Starting out as an EMT/Paramedic, he has worked his way through the years to finally becoming the Morrice Police Chief. He is married with 5 children and is actively involved in his local church, serving as well on its staff. He and his family sing in a gospel group at local venues and churches.
Member-at-Large
Jim Melton, retired Dow Chemical Company employee. Married with 2 children, lives in Saginaw, Mi. Is an active layman in his church. Enjoys such outdoor activities as biking, walking, hunting, fishing and boating. Loves gospel music and has been a personal friend and prayer partner of the Director for over 20 years. His greatest joy? Telling others what Christ has done for him!
Member-at-Large
Trooper Dwight Denning, Michigan State Police, Corunna Post 15; currently 22 years of service. Radar instructor - laser and regular. Also PBT instructor. Served at Flat Rock and the Detroit Freeway Posts before coming to the Corunna Post. Active in his local church in the Lansing area. Married and has a family. Loves sports - especially football, basketball, track & field. Really enjoys fishing, biking, riding and walking. Is a cancer survivor twice! Says the second time, "I just trusted God completely and He did the rest!"
Member-at-Large
Trooper Dave Fiebernitz, Michigan State Police, Flint Post 35; currently 22 years of service. Started at the Brighton Post, also working the Detroit Freeway Post and the Corunna Post before coming to Flint. Member and active in his local church since 1991, serving as trustee and lay speaker. Previously served as a worship leader as well. Married with 3 children and loves coaching youth hockey for over 10 years now.
