How a grieving father found strength in his heavenly Father.

By Nate Roten with David Ward

Part 2

For part 1, please click the link below:

David Ward

On April 28, 2021, the Watauga County Sheriff’s Department dispatched officers to a home for a welfare check where a thirteen-hour standoff ensued. This resulted in the death of two officers: Sargent Chris Ward and K-9 Deputy Logan Fox as well as the family that was in the home.

The entire High Country followed the reports throughout the day hoping and praying that the standoff would resolve peacefully.  Unfortunately, we were reminded of the dangers our law enforcement face daily. Tragedy struck our little mountain community once again.

David, the father of Sargent Ward, was two hours away when he received the call that his son Chris had been shot. He immediately did as any parent would do in the situation and rushed back up the mountain as fast as humanly possible while praying that God would save his son’s life. Praying was all he could do. What else could anyone do? David had experienced loss when his wife, Libby, had passed away in 2010. He felt God’s love then through the compassion of his family and friends, but even this didn’t prepare him for the loss of a child. Yet, while the uncertainty and dread continued to churn in his stomach, he was also filled with a peace and felt God confirming that He will be holding his hand throughout this time. 

David was met by members of the Sheriff’s Department when he arrived in Boone, who stood with him steadfastly, yet in equal shock, as they loaded Chris on an emergency flight to the medical center in Johnson City, Tennessee. David sat in a small room of the hospital surrounded by law enforcement with other family members: Chris’ wife Candice, Chris’ daughter Molly and her boyfriend, Grant; his sister Keisha and brother-in-law, Kyle; and David’s close friend, Betty Wood. As he waited to receive any updates, he felt almost nothing at all. He was numb and in shock. They were all in doubt of the type of news the next moments would bring, despite this, there was still a lingering peace in David’s heart as he reflected on a Monday night years ago where Chris had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

Being a Pastor, David wanted to comfort those around him, but God showed His compassion by sending a hospital chaplain to remind him that it was okay to take the time to process and mourn as a dad for a while. Soon after, David’s Pastor joined them in Johnson City, and they all processed the terrible news together that no parent wants to receive.

It was during this time that he connected with the 23rd psalm more deeply. David felt the hollowness and sorrow of being in the literal valley of death’s shadow, and yet, he knew God had him by the hand the entire time. The Good Shepherd was comforting him.

There is a verse that has always been close to David’s heart, which is Jeremiah 33:3, which says, 

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, 

and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Even before the death of his son, he would often be reminded of this verse in odd ways. Many times, he would just happen to glance at his watch or even wake up randomly and squint at the clock that showed a time of 3:33. It happened again in the hospital. David would look at the time and it was exactly 3:33 and he would be reminded of that verse. God was using his word to bring comfort. 

That wasn’t the only time God used the words of scripture to minister to David. Upon returning home, he was comforted by many of his Pastor friends, family, as well as his church community at Westside Baptist Church that following Sunday. Just a few days after Chris’ death, Candice had also given David Chris’ Bible, which was a treasure. 

On the next Sunday (Mother’s Day), David’s mother was watching a preacher on TV who was preaching on Isaiah 57:15. At the same time, their church was preparing for revival and Isaiah 57:15 was a key verse for one of the sermons. Coincidence?

Hardly. On top of two mentions of the same verse, David noticed something in Chris’ Bible. As he turned to Isaiah 57, he saw that Chris had marked up verse 15, having highlighted the word eternity and underlined the phrase with him.

For thus saith the high and lofty One

that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy;

I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

God was using the truth of scripture to reassure David that his son was okay. Chris was right there at His side and always will be. As David told the church about Chris’ Scriptural highlights, everyone was amazed at the presence of God and the comfort He gives.  

Incredibly, David explained that from that time until now, he has never been angry. He has been blessed with incredible support from his church and the law enforcement community. He has drawn peace from scripture and prayer. Was he heartbroken? Of course, but he hasn’t assigned blame or desired to sit in the judge’s seat to condemn. It was only by the grace of God that anger and bitterness didn’t take over. That isn’t a phenomenon we encounter often. It is only by the Spirit of God that we can react in such a humble and God-honoring way. David allowed the fruit of the Spirit to have its work in his mind and heart. Instead of growing angry and callous, he poured out his grieving heart to God and sought to allow God’s glory to be on display. The only question he asked during this time was, “why my son?” 

And God was faithful to answer. In return, God simply asked the question back to David. “Why my Son?”

Instead of growing angry and callous, he poured out his grieving heart to God and sought to allow God’s glory to be on display.

That is when the reality of the gospel from God’s vantage point hit home. God the Father fully understands what it is like to experience the death of a son. He knows full well the heartache and pain that comes with seeing your child being hurt. God isn’t a distant ruler of the universe who keeps his creation at an arm’s-length. No, He sent His Son as light into the darkness knowing exactly what would happen. Jesus would be mistreated throughout the lifetime of his earthly ministry. He would be mocked, beaten beyond human recognition, unjustly tried in the courts, and executed in the most painful way possible. God extends His grace and compassion as the One who can completely sympathize with what David was going through. He could because He endured the same horrors. 

That one answer, “why my Son?” was all David needed to continue to lean on God in complete dependence to carry him through this time. God had proven himself to be real, engaged, trustworthy, and sufficient in a way David had never experienced before. 

As our time together ended, David reiterated a point that is vitally important for us to hear. He said he drew strength and peace from God’s word and time with Him in prayer. Like Hebrews 4:12 says, God’s word is living and active, and he allows tragedy in our lives to bring Him glory. We may not always be able to see how that works until much later, but God’s name is to be praised, not condemned. We don’t blame God for events like these, we praise him in the midst of it because He is worthy of all praise at all times.