October 14, 2002

East Lansing - Michigan State Police Director Col. Stephen D. Madden has announced the appointment of Rev. Clifton Burritt of Boon, Michigan, to the Michigan State Police Chaplain Corps.

Reverend Burritt was ordained in 1983 and is pastor of Boon Baptist Church in Boon, Michigan. He participates in the Brite Star Ministries Radio Program and serves with the Wexford County Jail Ministry. Reverend Burritt has a master of Ministry from Grace College and Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. He is married to Becky Burritt, and they have three children.

The Michigan State Police Chaplain Corps was started in 1932 with two chaplains, a Catholic monsignor from Flint and a Presbyterian minister from Kalamazoo. Both had previously served in World War I as military chaplains.

Today, chaplains perform a wide variety of pastoral duties including: providing emotional/spiritual support for department members and their families, visiting sick or injured officers and family members, assisting with spouse and family needs, performing funeral ceremonies, and participating in post or district meetings at the request of the work site commander.

Chaplain Burritt will be assigned to the Cadillac Post.