In February of 2011 Chaplain Neil was approached by a search team from the State Patrol and asked if he would consider exploring the possibility of a Joint Chaplain Program with WSP and WDFW. Chief Bjork from WDFW Police met with Chief Batiste from WSP and the idea was explored. In late April of 2011 Mike was formally asked by both Chiefs if he would serve as their Senior Chaplain. An Implementation team from both agencies was formed and the program was put together.
On May 3rd 2011 the Chaplancy was introduced to the State Patrol at the Annual Washington State Patrol Fallen Officer's Memorial at the State Patrol Academy in Shelton when Mike was asked to give the invocation.
Pictured here with Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire and WSP Chief John Batiste.
Fish and Wildlife Officers face all the day to day life carnage that other officers experience. Nation wide statistics showthat Fish and Wildlife Officers are more likely to be assaulted or killed in the line of duty than other police officers. The sheer nature of the work puts them far from law enforcement back-up, alone in remote areas often behind locked gates.
Chaplain Mike Neil with fish and Wildlife
Officer Justin Maschhoff from Graham
The Chaplain - Mike Neil
Mike Neil Began his career in 1973 with The State Game Department as a Fish Hatchery Assistant in South Tacoma, the same year he was married to his wife Susan.
In 1975 he was hired as a Fisheries Patrol Officer and worked one year in Shelton, until he transferred back to the Department of Game as a State Wildlife Agent in Chehalis.
Mike and Sue had two children, James and Susanne, and raised their young family in Lewis County until they moved to Puyallup in 1988.
Susan has been a devoted wife and mother, and currently works as a fifth grade teacher. They were high school sweethearts at Curtis High in University Place.
Mike had three police K9’s over a span of 18 years beginning in 1983. This Pen and ink drawing which Mike did is of Isaac who had cancer and was put down in April 2002.
In 1994 Mike’s life was changed forever when he met Christ on a Saturday morning in his patrol vehicle.
In June of 2002 Mike retired and went to work in a Lutheran Church as a Minister of Outreach. In 2006 they lost Susanne in a bicycle accident in Seattle. This has been the hardest challenge the Neil family has had to endure, but it prepared Mike for the chaplaincy. The following year he was asked to become a Volunteer Police Chaplain for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department; he attended the Chaplain Academy in Burien. Later that year he became a Licensed Deacon with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. In April 2009 Mike was ordained as a Non-Denominational Pastor affiliated with Bethel Christian Center in Federal Way.
Currently Mike and Sue live in Gig Harbor in the home they built together in 2008.
In 2008 the Department of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Chief, Bruce Bjork asked Mike to consider becoming their Chaplain when U.S. Forest Service Police Officer Chris Fairbanks was brutally murdered in Sequim. In November 2008 Mike left the Lutheran Church to pursue full time chaplaincy.
In the 2009 Legislative session Representative Bruce Dammeier from Puyallup sponsored HB1437 which gave the Department of Fish and Wildlife authority to utilize the services of a Police Chaplain. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on April 24th
Mike’s ordination in April 2009 Pictured from left to right are:
Sr. Pastor, Dennis Austin, Bethel Christian Center, Anglican Bishop Dr. Tim Klerekoper,
Pastor Mike Neil, and Pastor Rich Carbone.
(All these men are currently serving as chaplains)
My Granddaughter Grace and I visited the State Senate on February 16th. I gave the opening invocation and Brad Owen let grace pound the gavel. She stole the show.
You can support the Fish and Wildlife Chaplaincy using VISA/MasterCard or you can send a check made out to The Charteris Foundation with a posted note attached designating this chaplaincy to:
Charteris Foundation - P.O. Box 24766 - Federal Way, WA 98093
To donate with Visa or MasterCard call Jan, at 253-661-6575 and she will set it up for you. to support click on image
Washington State Employees can give untaxed charitable donations online to the Fish and Wildlife Chaplaincy at Washington State combined Fund Drive. Charity number 1479562 www.fortress.wa.gov
As the Fish and Wildlife Chaplain, I am committed to:
· Bringing respect & honor to the badge and the men & women who wear it.
· Pledging a presence to the needs of our Fish and Wildlife Officers and their families.
· Subjecting my life to the accountability of a life of faith.
· Offering professionalism of service, including confidential listening and counsel.
· Being a mentor to young officers and their families.
You can partner with me through prayer or by making a tax-deductible financial gift.
Your prayers & financial support allow me to fill the need for ministry to these special people. Because you are willing to give, I am able to serve.
The State of Washington does not provide a salary for this position.
All of my financial support is raised from local churches, businesses, individuals.
Consider joining with me in this special ministry.
You can make a onetime gift, or become a full time partner by making a regular monthly contribution: □$5.00 □$10.00 □$25.00 □$50.00 □$100.00
showthat Fish and Wildlife Officers are more likely to be assaulted or killed in the line of duty than other police officers. The sheer nature of the work puts them far from law enforcement back-up, alone in remote areas often behind locked gates. 
same year he was married to his wife Susan.
Mike had three police K9’s over a span of 18 years beginning in 1983. This Pen and ink drawing which Mike did is of Isaac who had cancer and was put down in April 2002.
Pictured from left to right are:
