The Village of Russells Point has officially sworn in a new chaplain to serve its police department.
On Monday, Council President Greg Iiams administered the oath to Rev. Joseph Angles, Pastor of the Russells Point Church of God.
The Russells Point Police Department has had a chaplain for many years.
The previous chaplain, Jeff Hall, retired a couple of years ago.
In the past, the department’s chaplain has played a vital role during moments of sudden traumatic loss, death notifications, and other critical incidents where a softer, compassionate presence was especially beneficial.
Angles brings both ministry and professional expertise to the position.
He is an ordained minister with the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana, and has served the Russells Point Church of God with a deep commitment to preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and community outreach.
Academically, Rev. Angles holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Wright State University and a Master’s degree in Christian Counseling from Logos Christian College and Graduate School.
He is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio, certified in Critical Incident Stress Management, and recently completed the Foundations of First Responder Chaplaincy Course conducted by Heroic Deeds Chaplain—training designed specifically to equip chaplains to serve first responders and their families.
Alongside his pastoral ministry, Angles has dedicated decades of his career to serving children, families, and individuals in a variety of leadership and counseling roles across social services, schools, and residential treatment settings.
As a chaplain, his responsibilities will include support for officers and staff—providing confidential counseling for stress, trauma, or personal struggles, riding along on patrols to build rapport, and offering spiritual guidance if requested.
He will also be available to support officers’ families as they navigate the unique stresses of police life, providing grief support and crisis intervention when needed.
In the community, Angles will assist with death notifications, accidents, and traumatic incidents, offering comfort to victims and their families, and serving as a bridge between the police department and local faith communities.
With his background in both ministry and social work, Russells Point officials say Angles is uniquely equipped to step into this role, continuing the legacy of support and service established by his predecessor while bringing his own wealth of experience to the department, its officers, and the community.
