Service Award

Father Kenneth Phillips was awarded the Colonel's Award for Excellence by the North Dakota Highway Patrol. The award recognized father’s 30 years of service to the state agency.
 
The award was presented to Fr. Phillips at his parish, Church of St. Therese, the Little Flower in Minot by Lieutenant Matt Johnson of the N.D. Highway Patrol on Oct. 7. The award plaque message reads: “On behalf of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, I would like to congratulate you for being nominated and selected to receive the Colonel’s Award for Excellence. The engraving symbolizes the American bald eagle surrounded by the North Dakota Badlands, the Little Missouri River and the profile of the Sioux warrior, Red Tomahawk. Each is original and unique to the state of North Dakota. This award is presented to North Dakota state employees and to private citizens as a token of the Colonel’s appreciation for efforts and activities that benefit the North Dakota Highway Patrol and the state of North Dakota.”
 
North Dakota Highway Patrol Sergeant Jenna Clawson Huibregtse nominated Fr. Phillips for this award. In her submission letter, she wrote, "I am nominating Father Kenneth Phillips for the Colonel's Award for Excellence for his 30 years of service to the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) as a department Chaplain. Father Phillips has served as a NDHP Chaplain since the program's inception in 1994.
 
"In those thirty years, Father Phillips has served the agency and citizens of our state with distinction and compassion. He provided emotional, moral, and spiritual support to the NDHP members and numerous crash victim family members over the years. He has given guidance to officers and ride-alongs and taken the time to get to know troopers personally and be available for a listening ear and compassionate advice whenever needed.”
 
Father Phillips said his primary duties as chaplain was to be readily available to troopers and their families, offering spiritual guidance, counseling and personal support in their work.
 
 “Because of the demanding shift schedules and the often dangerous or traumatic situations they face, law enforcement personnel experience significant stress that can affect both their personal and family lives,” Fr. Phillips said. “For most state troopers, the patrol vehicle serves as their office, and it was my responsibility to join them on ride-alongs. As trust developed over time, many troopers sought advice and counsel on personal, professional and family matters. Some Catholic troopers even requested the sacrament of confession during these ride-alongs. When needed, I also assisted at crash scenes by comforting those affected and supported troopers in delivering fatality notifications to families.”
 
In the nomination letter, Sergeant Clawson Huibregtse specifically noted the value of Fr. Phillips’ compassion and understanding when delivering life changing information to family members while making these situations easier for troopers and supporting them during these emotional events.
 
She went on to affirm Fr. Phillips’ kindness, empathy, and compassion for the troopers as well as toward members of the public.
 
"As a department chaplain, Father Phillips has been readily available for troopers and their families for services such as spiritual guidance, counseling, and being available for them on a personal level to support their emotional needs. Over the years, he has participated in training to enhance the support provided to troopers and their families,” Sergeant Clawson Huibregtse wrote.
 
As one might expect, the jobs of both a priest and a highway patrol officer are emotionally demanding and sometimes take a toll on the spiritual wellbeing of even the most faithful soul.
 
When asked how he managed his own emotional and spiritual wellbeing while dealing with stressful or emotionally taxing situations, Fr. Phillips explained, “The grace of the sacrament of Holy Orders, together with seeking the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit in difficult moments, has been foundational in sustaining me. A consistent prayer life, the support of close friends and a healthy sense of humor have also been invaluable in stressful situations.”
 
That sense of humor came in handy on more than one occasion over the past 30 years of service to the N.D. Highway Patrol.
 
“I most enjoyed getting to know the troopers and serving as God’s instrument of peace and light for those who sought counsel,” Father Phillips noted. “There were also moments of excitement—the adrenaline rush of pursuing a speeding vehicle or responding to an emergency, the roar of the police interceptor engine and the wind whipping past us at speeds exceeding 100 mph. There were humorous occasions as well, such as when parishioners were pulled over for speeding. The trooper would return their license and registration along with my greetings!
 
“In summary, I cherished my 30 years as an NDHP chaplain. Had I not been called to the priesthood, I would have pursued a career as a state trooper. I’m pretty certain my parishioners prefer receiving my priestly blessings over speeding citations!”