Former lawman heeds new calling
Driggers followed path to chaplaincy after retirement
The Post and Courier
Driggers
Eddie Driggers retired two years ago from a decorated law enforcement career spanning three decades in the Lowcountry. Yet, he felt there was something more he was meant to do.
Driggers, a former assistant sheriff for Charleston County, enrolled in college full-time to earn a history degree. He worked as a downtown tour guide. He volunteered at his church. But he sensed he still was waiting to learn what his true calling would be.
"I kept telling people that I still haven't figured out what I'm gonna do when I grow up," he said with a laugh. "I was waiting to see where God was going to put me."
Driggers said he received his answer a few weeks back when the Rev. Rob Dewey invited him to come work for the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, a faith-based organization that ministers to crime victims, police and emergency workers in distress. He started June 1 as a new full-time lay chaplain.
Driggers, 54, has been active for years at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in North Charleston, where he serves as a Eucharistic minister, lay reader, vestry member and Sunday school teacher. He is considering becoming an ordained priest. But for now, the chaplain's job is a perfect fit, allowing him to draw on his experience as a lawman while comforting those in need.
"I loved police work, and I believe what I bring to the table is that I know the struggles of being a first responder," he said. "Doing this really is for the people I've loved all my life. What better calling can there be than to go out and be able to offer yourself to people?"
Dewey, the organization's founder and senior chaplain, has known Driggers for years. They often tossed around the idea of Driggers joining the chaplaincy, but Dewey thought for a long time that the lawman needed to be ordained first.
"Then I began to look at his other gifts," Dewey said. "People genuinely love and respect Eddie. He's just got a real pastor's heart. I know it's going to be a wonderful fit."
It's certainly a different role for Driggers. He began his law enforcement career as a North Charleston police officer in 1975 and went to work at the sheriff's office 11 years later. There, he served as a patrol deputy, a narcotics investigator, a homicide detective, a dog handler, a hostage negotiator, a SWAT team member and more. He rose through the ranks until he became a chief deputy and finally Sheriff Al Cannon's second in command.
Cannon was a North Charleston police corporal when he met Driggers and served as his first supervisor. Cannon said Driggers has an abundance of experience that will help him relate to both emergency workers and civilians who have gone through trauma. Driggers had served as a liaison between the sheriff's office and police chaplains, and he is certified to train clergy in crisis care.
"He is as good a man as I know," Cannon said. "He is very even-tempered and a calming influence, which I think is ideal for this kind of position. He will bring great understanding to that post."
Driggers said he has been humbled by the support he's received from former colleagues and the community, though some deputies seem unsure whether to call him chief or chaplain when he shows up at an emergency scene. But he understands that he no longer wears the gold star and that he's taking directions these days instead of giving orders. And Driggers is just fine with that.
His first call was to a North Charleston neighborhood where an obese woman had died in her home. While police and medical personnel worked to remove her from the home, Driggers consoled her family, calmed a growing crowd and did what he could to protect the woman's dignity in death. He carries no gun now and uses hugs instead of handcuffs. But it all felt right to Driggers.
"I fell right into it," he said. "Many people out there, all they need is just a presence, a hug, someone just to be there and assure them everything is going to be all right."
He got home that night at 11:30, some 15 hours after he'd left for work. He was exhausted but also energized from being on front lines again, doing work that mattered. Lennis, his wife of 35 years, could see it on his face when she looked up. She smiled.
"Welcome back," she said.
Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 11 comment(s)
Posted by lillycollette on June 9, 2008 at 2:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Our thanks and welcome to Mr. Driggers in his new role.
Posted by oldglory on June 9, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A true human being :)
Posted by outrage on June 9, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A great role model and OK golfer:-)
Miss ya Chief!
Posted by Commonman on June 9, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I had the priviledge of getting to know Eddie as one of the rookies I was fortunate to have assigned to me for training ride a long when he started at NCPD. You could tell right away that he had that little extra something that would serve him well. He always had a smile on his face and a positive attitude. We rode many long hours together in the patrol car, had some real experiences, and many conversations. Law enforcement was his passion and he had his priorities in order. His compassion and and caring has only improved with age. His passion for helping people continues to burn bright. Best wishes, Eddie, in all areas of your life.
Posted by CaptPete on June 9, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ray Nash and his Christian Exodus group have been pushing their views for too long.
I hope Mr. Driggers does not go down that path.
Posted by hillbilly on June 9, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You're a good man Eddie.
My best to you in your new undertaking.
Posted by ldd1 on June 9, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Capt Pete,Why do you and others continue to say Ray Nash is associated with the Christian Exodus Group?Maybe you should do a little research,as I have done.
After a long and personal talk with Ray Nash I learned several facts that are true.Ray is not a member of this group and has never been a member.He is a member of a local christian church.He was invited to speak at one of their conferences.The subject he spoke on was Police Tactics.Although he thinks they have a right to their religous beliefs,there are issues that he does not agree with and would not consider joining their organization.Do you really know anything about the organization or are you just riding the wagon with folks like Chris Pia?
This item on Mr.Driggers sounds as though he is a very sincere person and will be serving the communtiy well.
Posted by JohnS on June 9, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a letter posted from Christian Exodus Cory Burnell.
If he's not a member he is at least a good enough friend for them to write this.
I've been meaning to alert y'all about Sheriff Nash's re-election campaign. He's embattled in a primary fight in Dorchester County. He is quite frankly the BEST friend of the US and South Carolina constitutions of all the sheriffs in the state - he's likely the best sheriff in the nation in this regard.
His friendship with CE over the past couple years makes it hard for us to publicly promote him because the media will be quick to write controversial nonsense should any connection with CE be thought to exist. So I'm asking you to do whatever you can in a personal capacity to help his campaign. Please spread the word about his campaign far and wide. Another thought is to give to his campaign financially if you're too far from Dorchester County to volunteer. Keep in mind that the media will likely latch onto out of state contributions in a negative way. To avoid this possibility, keep your total contribution to LESS than $100 per person and it will not have to be reported. For those of you in South Carolina, there is no such concern of course. Should you be out of state and desire to give more, consider having friends or family members write a check to the Nash campaign.
Checks can be made to Nash for Sheriff and mailed to PO Box 52384, Summerville, SC 29485.
Lastly, the email below is his campaign newsletter. You can sign up to receive it and stay abreast of the campaign at his campaign website: http://www.nashforsheriff.com/.
Yours in the Cause,
Cory
--
Cory R. Burnell
President
ChristianExodus.org
Phn: (877) 727-3578
Fax: (815) 572-8086
Posted by Commonman on June 10, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How in the world did an article on Eddie Driggers become a campaign issue regarding Sheriff Nash and Christian Exodus? Please do not reply to my rhetorical question as there has been too much off the wall speculation already. Congratulations, Eddie, on a job well done and best wishes for all your future endeavors.
Posted by mysticlady on June 10, 2008 at 7:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WAY TO GO EDDIE! THEY COULD NOT HAVE CHOSEN A BETTER MAN IN MY OPINION AND BEHIND EVERY GREAT MAN THERE IS A GREAT WOMAN!
GOD BE WITH YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU FOR LISTENING FOR THAT CALL!
HARRIETT GRADY
Posted by ptbs06 on June 11, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Baby Brother, this is where you belong...I am sooo happy for you!
Love "Forever & Always"
Cathie