Two Amazing Careers, One Shared Passion
/The Reverend Richard Daly shows a genuine compassion for people by serving in both law enforcement and the priesthood
by Lindsey McMillan
photo by PEYTON SIMS
Rich prepares to distribute Holy Communion at St. James’ Church in Texarkana, Texas.
The Reverend Richard Daly has adopted his new hometown wholeheartedly. Easygoing and friendly, Richard, also known as Rich to many, shares story after story of his adventurous life of two careers which intertwine very uniquely. He joined St. James Episcopal Church three years ago as their Parochial Vicar. He was ordained a priest in 1991 after attending Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin. He was called to the ministry after moving around with various jobs after living in Chicago since he was 16 years old. His father’s family had deep roots in Texas going back to the 1840s. Even when he was living up north for many years, he felt connected to Texas and happy when the opportunity arose for him to return.
After serving at several Episcopal parishes in Wisconsin, Rich moved to Sherman, Texas, where he was the rector at St. Stephen’s for three years. In 1997, his brother, Edmund, was on the police force in Chicago and contacted Rich about a chaplain position with the Chicago Police Department. The thought of this intrigued him and after investigation, he realized he had to take an exam to enter the police academy since he had to become an officer in rank first. At the time, he was having to compete with 28,000 others for 900 openings. After training and serving on patrol for three years, he would be able to apply for a chaplain position.
Two years ago, Rich and his daughters, Becca, Sarah, and Rachel, and wife, Diana, attended a wedding rehearsal in Greenfield, Massachusetts.
Three years became five, then eight, then eleven, and then in his fourteenth year after being told he still had to keep applying, Rich decided to keep serving until retirement. After 20 years on the force, he would be eligible for continued benefits and full pension. He loved his time serving with the Chicago P.D. even though there were tough, scary moments in a large city. Simultaneously, he also served as an interim priest at parishes across Chicago, filling in the ministry he loved. He always felt like it was his duty to serve in law enforcement, and being able to also serve as a priest kept him from “losing faith in humanity.”
Diana and Rich at St. Paul’s Church, in Riverside, Illinois, after celebrating his 25th anniversary of ordination in June 2016.
During this time, Rich was a single father to three young daughters. He felt like he was challenged across the board, barely holding it together while he was trying to help others. In fact, when he met his wife, Diana, she worked for one of the parishes who scheduled him to fill in. They married in 2004 after three years of dating. They remained in the Chicago area until he retired in February 2019 and was offered the position at St. James and moved to Texarkana one month later. It has felt like home ever since, as they have been eagerly welcomed by the community. St. James and Texarkana were exactly what he was looking for. It fits them like a glove, and they enjoy getting out and about to downtown events and various fundraisers. His daughters are now grown and living their own lives. Sarah, the oldest lives in Boston. Becca lives in Sheridan, Illinois, and youngest, Rachel, lives in Urbana, Illinois. Rich recalls how after his divorce from the girls’ mother it was a struggle to both work and raise them.
In his pastor role, he led his parishioners, being a shepherd to them. But he also saw himself as a sheep needing guidance. After he met Diana and remarried, he could see the progress he had made, working with people and moving on simply saying, “God renews you.” He still has family in Chicago, two brothers and one sister. Sadly, Rich lost a brother last year due to complications with COVID.
While reminiscing about stories throughout both careers he says he considers himself more of a police officer than a priest. Witnessing gunfire, responding to difficult situations, and having friends killed in the line of duty has brought out in him the need to see good in others and minister to all. “I have a memory of an incident which I think adequately and appropriately combines my two vocations as a priest and police officer. My regular partner and I had just started our tour of duty, and the dispatcher called us on the radio. My partner and I did not know why our sergeant wanted us there so urgently. Upon arrival to the hospital, he met us at the nurses’ station and said, “Rich, they just brought in a 42-year-old man who is DOA. We tried contacting the hospital chaplain, and the local priests, but no one answered our calls. They wanted prayers said, and I told them I have an Episcopal priest working tonight.” So, I go into the room, in full Chicago police uniform and introduce myself to them.” He looks fondly on his 31 years as a priest and 21 years as a cop and can say they have been two fulfilling careers.
Since he’s not at St. James full-time, Rich also serves as one of the chaplains with the Texarkana Texas Police Department. He goes on ride-alongs and enjoys getting to see the action again even if it’s from the back seat. “They know I’m a person who gets it. I want others to see how I am genuine and authentic,” he says. “Many people put the clergy on an ivory tower and forget that we live real lives.” Diana is a certified optician and works part-time with Family Medical Group.
When not busy with their respective jobs, Rich and Diana love taking cruises. They are going on a two-week one this month. When asked about retirement he simply says, “I enjoy life and want to have fun.” Other hobbies include railroad and stamp collecting. He still has large goals saying, “I want to help people grow in their faith and continue the betterment of Texarkana for everybody.”
As Rich loves being back in Texas, he wasn’t sure what Diana would think about moving here after spending her whole life in the Chicago area. But she loves it and has quickly adjusted. When asked what they miss, he replies, “Though I spent about 36 years of my life there, I can honestly say I do not miss the city. Naturally, I miss my friends, but the city? I do not miss it at all. What I wish I could get down here is some real Chicago style deep dish pizza and Chicago style hot dogs. Those are two of my favorite foods.”
Rich spent one of his last days patrolling in the Rogers Park neighborhood in October 2018.
“I can clearly say my pastoral understanding informed my need to adjudicate my police calls with understanding, but never at the expense of my safety, the safety of my partner, or of the community. There were times when I was on the job, I would see the most horrible things people would do to each other and my faith sustained me not to lose hope. I know what it is like to really struggle with being a Christian.”
During July 2016, Rich (center) attended the funerals for the five Dallas police officers who were killed in the line of duty.
Rich’s thoughts on “living out loud” in Texarkana: “Living loud means I try to be a truly visible individual who people recognize as one who is dedicated to service and the betterment of my community, not just in what I say, but in what I do. It is saying out loud, ‘I am genuinely present for you, and I offer you my full support. You can count on me.’ To me, living large is that I do not just keep in my semi-retired world, but meet the community at-large, beyond the doors of St. James’ Church, telling others that the larger community of Texarkana, USA, is my home, too. That is why I try to participate in many of the events of around town. My wife and I love living here. I have found a large family called TXK. I love supporting and spending time with that family.”