MD Neil
Washington State Patrol patch
Washington State Fish and Wildlife Police patch

Washington State Patrol and Department of Fish and Wildlife

The Washington State Chaplaincy

Serving with Compassion — Building a Program from the Ground Up

A Calling to Serve

Mike Neil served as Senior Chaplain for the Washington State Patrol for ten years and retired from the role in 2021. During that decade, he dedicated himself not only to the troopers and their families but to building a chaplaincy program that would outlast his tenure. Mike Neil still serves the Department of Fish and Wildlife as a Chaplain.

In 2013, Mike recruited Tom Jonez, who became his Assistant Senior Chaplain. Together, the two men built the WSP Chaplain program from the ground up — establishing protocols, expanding the team, and bringing spiritual care and emotional support to officers across the state.

Chaplains serve on the front lines alongside law enforcement — responding to critical incidents, comforting the grieving, supporting officers through trauma, and providing a steady presence in some of the most difficult moments imaginable.

Mike Neil in Washington State Patrol uniform, bowed in prayerChaplain comforting a first responder at an emergency scene

Program Leadership

Mike Neil, Senior Chaplain, Washington State Patrol

Mike Neil

Senior Chaplain

2011 – 2021

Mike Neil served as Senior Chaplain for the Washington State Patrol for ten years. A retired Fish and Wildlife Officer, Mike brought a deep faith and firsthand understanding of law enforcement culture to the chaplaincy. He recruited and mentored chaplains, responded to critical incidents statewide, and built the program into a trusted resource for troopers and their families.

Tom Jonez and Mike Neil, WSP Chaplains, at an emergency scene

Tom Jonez

Assistant Senior Chaplain

2013 – 2021

Tom Jonez joined the WSP Chaplain program in 2013 at Mike Neil's invitation. As Assistant Senior Chaplain, Tom played a vital role in growing and shaping the program alongside Mike. His dedication to the troopers and their families made him an indispensable part of the chaplaincy team.

Serving the Washington State Patrol and Fish and Wildlife Family

Mike Neil official chaplain portrait with cross pin
Mike Neil with Chief John Batiste at the District 8 headquarters memorial in Bremerton
Mike Neil with Chief John Batiste at the District 8 headquarters in Bremerton in February, 2012 at the Trooper Tony Radulescu memorial
Mike Neil in chaplain uniform bowed in prayer at podium
Mike Neil alongside a WSP officer at a podium eventMike Neil speaking at WSP podium with Washington State flagMike Neil in CHAPLAIN jacket at an outdoor scene in the rainMike Neil in Chaplain jacket walking alongside a Fire Chief at an emergency scene
Mike Neil in WSP Senior Chaplain cap and jacketMike Neil in Senior Chaplain jacket at a WSP eventMike and Sue Neil at a Washington State Patrol banquet

The Mission of a Chaplain

  • ✓Providing spiritual care and emotional support to troopers and Fish and Wildlife Officers and their families
  • ✓Responding to critical incidents, tragedies, and line-of-duty events
  • ✓Offering a confidential, compassionate presence in times of crisis
  • ✓Building trust and community within the law enforcement family
  • ✓Serving the public alongside first responders at disaster scenes
"The badge may be on the chest, but the heart of a chaplain is what carries the weight."

— Mike Neil, Senior Chaplain, Washington State Patrol