Skaggs trading in Glock for King James Bible

Jonathan Skaggs has traded in his Glock for a Bible. Skaggs, a former detective with the Trumann Police Department, has left the department to pursue a higher calling as a Baptist preacher. (Democrat photo/Mark Randall)

For the past 11 years police work has been his life.

But when his father suffered a massive heart attack in 2002, which should have claimed his life, Skaggs began feeling like he had a higher calling in life.

He rededicated his life to God, began regularly attending church again and did some preaching on the side.

Long hours as a detective forced him to cut back on the amount of time he was able to devote to church work, but the desire to preach and serve God never left him.

Skaggs made the tough decision this week to give up a job he has loved in order to serve in the ministry full time.

"I never quit preaching," Skaggs said. "I've always been able to fill in whenever I was needed. But I haven't gotten to do as much in the past year or so as I used to. When I got called to preaching in July 2002, I realized that God has a higher calling for me, not just to be a police officer."

Skaggs said it was a tough decision to quit the department, but the right one.

"I had been praying for a while and just felt like God had been dealing with it with me for a while," Skaggs said. "I would wake up in the middle of the night thinking about it. It got to where it wasn't until when I finally decided this was what I wanted to do that I had peace about it. I got the best rest I had had in two weeks."

Skaggs said telling Chief Larry Blagg, who is not only his boss, but a good friend, wasn't easy.

"The decision to leave the police department was hard," Skaggs said. "I was under a lot of stress because that is all I've ever known. I've been doing it now for 11 years. That's my family up there. I feel responsible for each person. And Chief Blagg has been such a good person to work for. You feel a measure of devotion and loyalty. So it was hard.

"He wanted to make sure I was doing it for the right reason and not because I was tired or fed up with something -- which I wasn't. I told him it was what God wanted and he was real supportive."

Blagg said there will be a noticeable difference in the police department with Skaggs gone.

"He's a big part of this family," Blagg said. "He's been a great asset to CID and on the public relations side. We're going to miss him a lot. He's thought of very highly here. But I wish him all the best and I support him 100 percent."

Skaggs said he plans to continue to fill in as a pastor wherever he is needed but hopes to someday be able to pastor his own church in Trumann.

"If that is what God wants, I wouldn't mind having my own church," Skaggs said. "I'm from Trumann. If he moves me somewhere, I'll go. But if I can stay in Trumann, I'd love that."

He is also working on a degree in Bible Theology from West Tennessee Bible Institute in Dyersburg, Tenn.

Skaggs won't be giving up police work altogether though. He plans to remain in the ranks as a reserve officer and will continue to serve as a sniper on the tactical team.

"I'm still going to get to come out and ride around with the guys some," Skaggs said. "I'll just be trading in my Glock for a King James Bible."