After more than two decades serving those inside the Daviess County Detention Center, longtime chaplain Emil Herzog has stepped away from the role he said became a calling.
Herzog officially retired on November 30 after 21 years at the facility. He said the transition is still fresh, but he is settling into the change with gratitude and mixed emotions.
“I am just kind of settling in and taking it all in,” Herzog said. “I still have some responsibilities outside the jail, and I try to focus on them and just be at peace with it.”
Herzog began as the chaplain on March 1, 2004. Before that, he pastored Family of God church in Owensboro for 15½ years and previously led a church in New Mexico. In total, he spent 21 years pastoring and another 21 as a chaplain — a symmetry he laughed about in reflection.
He served under two jail administrations: former Jailer David Osborne and current Jailer Art Maglinger.
Herzog credited his wife, Joy, for playing a major role behind the scenes by handling administrative work tied to the ministry.
“I would not be able to serve as chaplain without her,” he said. “She has put in many, many, many hours in helping. I like to say she’s the wind beneath my sails.”
Herzog said he cherished working alongside jail staff members who he believes perform one of the most difficult public-service jobs.
“They work with people, inmates, most of them don’t want to be there,” he said. “They do very, very good work. I got to know them through the years, and I will miss them.”
He also praised the many volunteers who came into the jail to teach Bible lessons, assist with fundraisers, or help in other unseen ways. Good News Global, the ministry Herzog serves with, places chaplains in jails and prisons and requires them to raise their own funding. Herzog said donors, whom he calls partners, sustained the work.
“I appreciate the partners who helped keep the ministry going,” he said. “My family benefits included — they’ve kept me at the jail and allowed me to provide pastoral presence for inmates and staff.”
Herzog said one of the greatest privileges of his tenure was spending time with inmates in one-on-one conversations, praying with them, and listening to their burdens.
“It’s been a joy to serve inmates, to get to know them,” he said. “It is a privilege to hear their heart and to hear of the burdens they’re carrying.”
Though he has retired, the ministry continues with new chaplain Jesse Harrell, whom Herzog has helped during the transition.
“I feel that he’ll be very good in the jail, and I hope the donors will get behind him now and continue to give and pray,” he said.
Asked what advice he would pass on, Herzog said compassion and humility are essential.
“We need to love people, to have compassion on people, to definitely not think we’re any better than anybody else,” he said. “Jesus was noted to be a friend of sinners. As you encourage people and are friendly to people, Jesus can walk across that bridge at any time.”
Herzog said the relationships he formed — with staff, volunteers, donors, and inmates — were central to his long tenure.
“I loved what I was doing,” he said. “As a follower of Christ, I’m convinced that He is the answer for every person’s life. I love pointing people to Him and the Word of God.”
Herzog said he ultimately stepped aside because he recognized his energy had slowed.
“I love the people in the jail. I loved what I was doing, but I’m just getting older,” he said. “It’s time for someone else with more energy than I had.”
In retirement, he hopes to stay active and continue serving in some capacity.
“I’d like to still work,” he said. “Part-time sounds better than full-time. I don’t want to just sit around and do nothing.”
