We know that law enforcement officers daily engage in difficult and dangerous work. They are exposed to very high risk physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. These officers need our support. Sometimes we too, the people they faithfully serve, unfortunately experience crises. Law enforcement chaplains help everyone, especially during difficult and dangerous times. 

Peace Officer Ministries, Inc. (POM) is a Christian law enforcement chaplaincy ministry that provides direct help during these times of trouble. POM also serves as a chaplaincy resource for officers, chaplains, police agencies, churches, and communities. We provide spiritual care, consulting, training, and written materials (including a special Bible edition for officers). POM is a charter member of the Association of Lutheran Mission Agencies, and is a referral organization for Focus on the Family.

Rev. Frank C. Ruffatto is a LCMS pastor and retired police detective. He joined Peace Officer Ministries, Inc. in 2008 after completing his academic work at the Concordia Seminary and beginning ministry at Point of Grace Lutheran Church in Cornelius, North Carolina.  As a retired police detective, he shares the same passion to serve those who protect and serve us as he had for his prior police service.  On January 1, 2010, Rev. Ruffatto was approved by the POM Board to serve as its new Executive Director.  

Chaplain Ruffatto holds an A.A. in Liberal Arts from St. Leo College and a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Behavioral Science/Religion) from Concordia College, Bronxville, NY, and an M.Div. from Concordia Seminary. He is marrie and has three children. His wife, Terri, serves as Mission Support Coordinator for POM.

POM provides materials, consultation, spiritual care and training for officers, chaplains, agencies and churches nationally and internationally. POM produces a special law enforcement edition Bible with special cover and 96-page introduction by POM Founder, Chaplain Lee, and a book, "Backup on the Beat," also authored by Chaplain Lee. POM has ministered on-scene to both victims and emergency workers at major crises including the Focus on the Family hostage crisis, Columbine High School, the "Texas 7," Ground Zero, New Mexico, Southern California and Northern California wildfires, Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, the Florida tornados, the Virginia Tech shooting, and the Kirkwood (MO) city hall shooting, Alabama Shooting, Oakland Ambush, and American Samoa Tsumani Relief.

Rev. Stephen C. "Steve" Lee, B.A., M. Div., is a former California peace officer and NIS (now NCIS) federal special agent. As a called and ordained Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod pastor, he founded Peace Officer Ministries, Inc. in 1996 and served as its Executive Director until January 2010.  Rev. Lee currently serves as a volunteer Chaplian for POM.

He has served as a volunteer local and federal law enforcement chaplain, and as part of an FBI chaplaincy advisory working group. He currently serves as LCMS Northwest District's Idaho Disaster Response Coordinator, on the LCMS Commission for Ministerial Growth and Support's Professional Church Worker Critical Incident Support Team, and as a disaster response partner to LCMS World Relief and Human Care.

Chaplain Lee is responsible for writing the flagship resources of POM, including a special law enforcement edition Bible with special cover and 96-page introduction,  and a book, "Backup on the Beat."  Chaplain Lee has ministered on-scene to both victims and emergency workers at major crises including the Focus on the Family hostage crisis, Columbine High School, the "Texas 7," Ground Zero, New Mexico, Southern California and Northern California wildfires, Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, the Florida tornados, the Virginia Tech shooting, and the Kirkwood (MO) city hall shooting.

Rev. Lee chaplained the team that recovered the steel-beam cross at Ground Zero, which will be preserved as part of the Ground Zero Memorial. He has donated thousands of POM Bibles to officers the world over, including Ground Zero responders, military police deploying to the Middle East, and other police agencies and officers affected by critical incidents.

He is ICISF CISM certified, DHS certified, and ICPC Master Chaplain certified. He holds an A.A. Degree in Law Enforcement from West Valley College, a B.A. degree in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University, and a Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Theological Seminary. He has been a presenter, guest and speaker in many settings, and his work has been featured in the Lutheran Witness, Christianity Today, Decision Magazine, and other publications. He has received numerous letters of appreciation, including Virginia Tech PD, ATF, Focus on the Family, NYPD Chief Joseph Esposito, and President George W. Bush.

Chaplain Lee has been married for 31 years to his wife Elaine. They have four children and three grandchildren.