CHAPLAIN GARY W. HOLDEN
Founder & Director
Rev. Gary W. Holden is the Founder and Director of The Police Chaplain Program. He is also Director of the Resilient Minds on the Front Lines Chaplain Programs, Board Member and Facilitator. Chaplain Holden completed the Law Enforcement Adjunct Instructor Training Program implemented by the U.S. Department Homeland Security Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers Office of Training Management. He is a trainer with the Department of Homeland Security Incidence to Terrorist Bombing (IRTB) classes.
Chaplain Holden is a member and is trained in Pastoral, Group, Assisting Individuals in Crisis, Advanced Group Crisis Intervention, Advanced Assisting Individuals in Crisis, CISM Application with Children and Managing School Crisis: From Theory to Application with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and is an approved instructor. Chaplain Holden was awarded the prestigious Susan E. Hamilton, PHD Award by the ICISF at their World Congress in 2015, for his development of and work with police chaplaincy. Chaplain Holden is a member of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and the National Center for Crisis Management. Chaplain Holden is a member of the New Jersey Department of Homeland Security Interfaith Advisory Council.
He served as a chaplain after 911 at Ground Zero in NYC working with the New York City Police and Fire Departments and the Port Authority Police Department. He received The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation in Philadelphia Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion award for sacrificial service. Chaplain Holden was also involved in chaplain work with The Battleship New Jersey Museum in Camden, NJ. and is a regular speaker at patriotic events and services.
He is a Chaplain with the New Jersey State Police and the Cumberland County NJ Prosecutor's Office. He founded the Public Schools Police Chaplain Resource Program.
Chaplain Holden is a NJ Master Resilience Trainer and coordinates resilience training for chaplains.
CHAPLAIN PERRY MESSICK
Director and Instructor
Perry was sworn in as the Chaplain for the Collingdale Police Department in 2010. In addition, since 2000 he has also served as the Chaplain for the Delaware County Fraternal Order of Police. Perry is a 1980 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice. He was deployed to Ground Zero in New York City over a period of seven months in 2001-2002. In addition, after Hurricane Sandy, Perry was assigned to coordinate emergency response in Lakewood, New Jersey. Since 1996, Perry has served as a Senior Pastor in PA. Chaplain Messick serves as a board member and instructor with The Police Chaplain Program.
CHIEF CHRISTOPHER FLETCHER
Consultant
Chris graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and a Master's degree from St. Joseph's University in Criminal Justice. He was hired by the Maple Shade NJ Police Department in 1995 where he served in both patrol and investigative divisons working his way up through the ranks. Currently, Chris holds the rank of Chief of Police at the Maple Shade NJ PD where he is the Chaplain Liaison Officer, Training Coordinator and Internal Affairs Commander for the agency. Chris is a valued consultant to The Police Chaplain Program.
MICHAEL PELLEGRINO
Advisory Board, Consultant and Instructor
Michael Pellegrino graduated from the Trenton Police Academy and started his law enforcement career in August of 1994. Upon completion of the academy, he was assigned to the Patrol Division. During that time, he also served as a Traffic Officer. He was then assigned as the Department’s School Resource Officer, and became certified to teach DARE and GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) to the elementary school students of Ewing NJ.
He served as a detective in the Youth and Family Services Bureau where some of his duties included overseeing Megan’s Law and the Domestic Violence Response Team. During that time, he was assigned to the Mercer County NJ Special Investigation Unit.
He also was a part of Ewing Police Youth Academy, where he continues to mentor the youth in the community.
Throughout His career he has received many awards and recognitions for his outstanding service to the community. He received the Ewing Police Medal of Honor and was the Mercer County 200 Honoree for rescuing a trapped elderly couple and their special needs son from an accident scene, along. He received recognition for his valor and received the NJ State PBA Unit Citation Award, the National Law Enforcement Police Officer of the Month Award, the Carnegie Medal of Honor Award, and the Knights of Columbus Exceptional Service Award.
Michael served on the Ewing PBA’s Executive Board as the Sergeant of Arms and as the State Delegate. He ascended to the position of 2nd Vice President within the NJ State PBA Executive Board and served as the Chairman of the Good and Welfare Committee.
He has been a rider for the last 18 years with the Police Unity Tour and is currently on their Executive Board. He was Ewing Police's "Officer of the Year for 2018. He retired from the department after 25 years of service.
He is an instructor with The Police Chaplain Program.
He resides with his wife, Diana, and their fur baby’s Bella and Wookie.
They are founders of “Resilient Minds on the Front Lines” a 501c3 organization that partners with The Police Chaplain Program and covers many different training opportunities.
They also own DPM Solutions which is an Advertising, Marketing and Event Company. Michael is also a life coach and speaker who is skilled in investment and real estate.