The Rev. Dr. James H. Taylor III has officially been appointed as chaplain for the Farmville Police Department. Rev. Taylor currently pastors Jericho Baptist Church, formerly named Race Street Baptist Church.

The Farmville Herald spoke with Taylor after a Wednesday noon service at his church.

Taylor revealed that he had served as pastor at Jericho Baptist Church for the past 27 years. He explained that during that time he had always tried to be an active source of support for his community.

“I feel, well, I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that I have been called to a life of service,” he confessed

Taylor also has a clear understanding of the everyday pressures of a job in law enforcement. He is also aware of the tendency of many officers is to quietly bear those pressures alone daily as a part of their decision to serve in that capacity.

During a recent conversation with The Farmville Herald, Taylor said that his own past experience in law enforcement is an asset to his appointment. Taylor, who served in the U.S. Army early in his life, has also spent 10 years serving with the Richmond Police Department, ultimately rising to the rank of Sergeant before leaving the force. He went on to work as an investigator and Director of Corporate Security for ALCOA, formerly Reynold’s Metals in Richmond.

His willingness to avail himself to the community to serve has, through the years, gained the respect of his own community as well as many Farmville officials.

“Chuckie Reid, who is the vice mayor now, has been instrumental to my move,” Taylor said. “Actually, though, it was Gerald Spates that came to me and asked me to consider serving as chaplain for the police department. One thing led to another.”

Taylor, or chaplain “J,” as he signed his first official letter as chaplain to the department and Farmville community wrote, “Moreover, please understand that my mission as chaplain is to avail presence and to assist you and others in the centering moment of their faith. Please know that I will avail myself to whatever level that might be.”