'Dedication to serving others': Montgomery mourns MPD chaplain Antonio Seales
City and law enforcement officials Wednesday remembered Montgomery Police Department Chaplain Pastor Antonio Seales as a champion for the community and the department.
Seales died Tuesday at age 51, and Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed ordered flags to half staff in his honor. No cause of death was immediately released.
Seales started working with MPD in 2013 as part of the city’s Operation Good Shepherd program, a partnership between the Montgomery Police Department and area worship centers to support the families and loved ones affected by acts of violence. He became the department’s chaplain in 2021.
“Pastor Seales’ service to the Montgomery Police Department and the community at large was invaluable,” said Reed. “As an original member of the city’s Operation Good Shepherd program, his commitment to the well-being of the police force was evident long before his formal appointment as chaplain, consistently providing a calming presence for our officers. On behalf of Tamika and my family, we offer our most sincere condolences.”
"Let us take comfort in the sweet memories we shared with him and draw strength from his unwavering dedication to serving others."
Acting Police Chief John Hall
Seales was a fixture in the community and was active for more than a decade in efforts to stop violence, particularly youth violence.
“Pastor Seales' sudden departure has left us all at a loss for words, and we understand that this is a difficult time for everyone,” said acting Montgomery Police Chief John Hall. “We want to offer our deepest sympathies and support to Pastor Seales' family and friends as they navigate through this profound loss.
"Although Pastor Seales is no longer physically with us, his legacy and spirit will forever remain a part of our department. Let us take comfort in the sweet memories we shared with him and draw strength from his unwavering dedication to serving others.”
Funeral arrangements had not been released.
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery mourns MPD chaplain and community champion Antonio Seales
