Five Questions: Pastor Andy Schreiber, sheriff’s chaplain
As the sheriff’s chaplain for the Ramona station, Pastor Andy Schreiber recently went on his first ride-along with Deputy David Dorroh to learn more about the duties and challenges the deputies face on patrol.
Although the four-hour shift was uneventful as far as calls, Schreiber said he and the deputy had a chance to talk while they rode around town. He was also able to meet with other deputies.
“It was a good way to ease into it,” he said.
While Schreiber’s primary ministry as chaplain is to the deputies, he is available to assist the officers with cases involving fatalities or other situations where family members of victims may need support.
“That’s a big help,” said Dorroh, explaining that the chaplain can focus on consoling the family while the deputies conduct the investigation.
“We explain that he’s strictly there for them,” said Dorroh.
Schreiber, 47, has been pastor of Ramona Valley Presbyterian Church for nearly four years. He added the chaplain post to his duties about six months ago when he learned of the opening at the Ramona station.
Born and raised near Hershey, Penn., Schreiber served from 1985-1993 as an aviation electronics technician in the Navy. It was his time in the Navy that brought him to San Diego, where he was stationed at Top Gun, formally known as Navy Fighter Weapons School, at what was then called NAS (Naval Air Station) Miramar. The school moved to Fallon, Nev., in 1996. He left the Navy to attend San Diego Christian College and then Westminster Seminary in Escondido.
Schreiber’s wife, Rebecca, grew up in Ramona and the two married at Oakbridge, the nearby Young Life camp where she worked as a youth. The couple lives in Ramona and has a 6-year-old son, Ben, 4-year-old daughter, Eliza, and another child due in September.
What appeals to you about volunteering as the sheriff’s chaplain?
The deputies have a very difficult, sometimes dangerous, and, unfortunately, often thankless job. All too often the only thing one ever hears about law enforcement personnel in the news is decidedly negative; while most of the really positive things they do in their respective communities receive little or no mention at all. I just like the idea of being able to be there for them in some way. It is a privilege to get to know them, help them in any way I can, and pray for them and their families. If you meet one of the deputies around town, take a moment and just tell them you appreciate them.
Who or what inspires you?
My wife and children whom the Lord has blessed me with inspire me greatly. They make me want to be a better man by God’s grace. My church family — especially some of our senior saints who have known and walked with the Lord for so many years — inspires me. Their childlike faith and firmness in the face of adversity is a great example and encouragement to me.
I also find great true-life stories, whether in book or movie form, to be very inspiring.
What is your most prized possession?
That’s a tough one. I would have to say my Bible, although I don’t yet nearly prize it enough.
What are you currently reading and what are your favorite books?
At any given moment I am reading through a number of different books, but one of the current ones is “A Puritan Theology,” by Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones. My favorite books (other than the Bible) are “Knowing God,” by J.I. Packer, “The Holiness of God,” by R.C. Sproul, “Flags of Our Fathers,” by James Bradley, and “The Teammates,” by David Halberstam. The list could go on and on.
What do you like to do for fun?
Spending time with family and friends, reading, watching baseball or hockey games, watching movies, and listening to music or talk radio.