Patricia Holman made history in the IMPD. Now she's retiring a second time, as chaplain.

Patricia Holman never wanted to be chaplain — she was called to the job.

Holman was a police officer for 32 years in Indianapolis and a member of the department's officer support team, which kept her on call day and night. She retired from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department as a captain in 2013.

Three years later, she returned to IMPD to work in the chaplain’s office. On Friday, she retired from her position as senior staff chaplain manager with the department.

"The joy of helping people who are in crisis,” Holman said of what drew her out of her first retirement. “That is my calling and was before I was a chaplain so it will remain that."

In her role as chaplain, Holman was tasked with informing family members when a loved one passed away. She ministered to police officers and family members of victims of homicide, suicide, infant deaths and other unexplained deaths.

Holman made history with her appointment in 2007

Before her first retirement, she made history when she was appointed the first Black female deputy chief with her department in 2007. She was asked to take on the role of chaplain by then-IMPD Police Chief Rick Hite in 2016 and initially turned the job down.

“I had been tied to a pager for 20-something years and really did not want to be tied to one again,” Holman said. “However, on the way home God stepped in. When I got home, I called (Hite) back to take the job.”

Holman has watched Indianapolis’ struggle with violence and seen first-hand the impact of rising homicides on its residents in the past two years. She responded to last April’s mass shooting at a FedEx center and other mass shootings in the city.

She’s been there to console the community and countless families and has kept her energetic personality along the way.

"When I took the position, I prayed that I would have peace with it so I can go to sleep at night and not cry about what I just saw or what I just heard,” Holman said. “For the most part, I've been free to do that.”

More on Holman: IMPD chaplain: 'The peace that’s in the midst of chaos'

More news: The downtown Indy Steak 'n Shake underwent a $1M renovation. Here's what's new.

She was drawn to the job after her nieces and nephews learned of the death of their father on the news.

“I would love to make sure that people hear about it in a more caring way,” Holman said. “I can't take back what happened to them, but I can help people in similar circumstances go through it in a better way.”

Holman shares thoughts on gun violence in Indianapolis

Many tragedies from her time as chaplain have stuck with Holman. The death of Breann Leath, an IMPD officer killed in the line of duty in April 2020 is one tragedy that remains in her mind, Holman said.

“To lose a life, such a beautiful lady who was just trying to make Indianapolis a better place and to be killed in such a senseless matter,” Holman said. “That will stick with me forever."

The day before her last as chaplain, Holman shared her thoughts on gun violence in the city with reporters.

“I'm sick of it, I really am. I'm sick of it,” Holman said. “There are way, way too many guns out on the streets and people are just dying for no reason over the simplest, little things. I'm sick of seeing young people lying in the street and I'm sick of seeing young people go to jail.”

Everyone in Indianapolis can play a difference in reducing violence and saving lives, she said. It starts by talking with children, showing them you care and explaining the importance of graduating from high school, Holman said.

What's next for Holman? Not waking up at 5:30 a.m.

Going into retirement for the second time, Holman said she plans to relax.

“I plan to not get up 5:30 a.m. I plan to not have a phone that goes off all through the night,” Holman said. “That's my plan. I'm going to sit on my patio and watch the flowers grow and hang out with my family.”

IMPD’s chaplain’s office includes Holman’s position, one other staff chaplain and an office assistant. The rest of the staff is made up of volunteer chaplains. The police department is still looking for candidates to fill Holman’s role.

More news: Man shot during family disturbance on Indianapolis' east side now facing a murder charge

More: Good Samaritans pull Indianapolis woman from burning vehicle after fiery crash on I-74

“If you are already ministering to people and already care about how people find out about the death of their loved one, this could be the job for you,” Holman said.

William Young, a public information officer with IMPD, said Holman has meant a lot to the department over the years.

“Not only do officers look at her as the chaplain, but she's also kind of like a mother to all of us,” Young said. “She'll definitely be missed but I know she'll still be around helping us out.”

After decades with the police department in Indianapolis, Holman said there is hope amidst violence in the city and across the country.

"Realistically, the only way we are going to change this country is to go back to God,” Holman said. “That's the only way we are going to make a difference in this country."

Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Patricia Holman retires as chaplain after second stint with IMPD