From Priest To Farmington Cop, Simsbury Resident's Journey A Unique One

FARMINGTON/SIMSBURY, CT — In 1970s television terms, Simsbury resident Chick Pritchard's vocation in life has taken him from MASH's Father Mulcahy to CHiPs' Frank Poncherello.

But the former Farmington Town Council member's journey from priest to Farmington motorcycle cop isn't as simplistic as that simplified explanation only those from an older generation would get.

Rather it represents a shift from one avocation to another, one that is represented in a new book written by Pritchard that is currently available on Amazon.

That journey, which also included a stop serving on Farmington's council from 2004-06, is the subject of a book he published called "Reflections of a Journeyed Soul: From Priest to Police."

It's been out since Oct. 17 and would make a unique, if not inspirational present for the holidays.

Now retired from the local police force, the former Farmington motorcycle cop's brush with death driving a police cruiser is what, ultimately, ended his police career.

In 1999, when Pritchard was 52, the cruiser he was driving was struck by a box truck that crossed the center line, nearly killing him.

But he pulled through and, though he had to retire from police work, it didn't end his quest for offering up inspiration.

And that is chronicled in his published memoir.

"As far as my journey, it has been unique in both my career choices and the memorable people I have had the opportunity to meet," Pritchard said recently.

"Serving has always been a part of my DNA, and I am so proud of the time I spent with my brothers and sisters in blue, on the Farmington PD, protecting and serving the community."

His desire to become a man of the cloth dates back to when he was just 14, when he entered a seminary.

By the time he was 26, he was officially a Catholic priest.

But, according to a promotional narrative on his book, "there was also a lingering doubt and deep sense of sadness that lived in his heart as well. After much soul-searching Chick left the ministry and became a cop."

Since the accident, however, Pritchard's unique life has taken on many roles, from teacher to business consultant to public speaker and mentor.

It's all talked about in his book.

Serving in two professions that have seen more than their fair share of negative publicity, Pritchard said, ultimately, success in both requires one simple action: communication.

"I believe law enforcement must always be a dialogue between those who protect and those who are served," Pritchard said.

"I am immensely proud to have been a part of that communication, especially within the reality of community policing."

The book sells for $25.99 in hardcover and $15.99 for paperback and it is available on Amazon.com as well as Barnes & Noble.

To purchase the book on Amazon, click on this link.

To purchase the book on Barnes & Noble, click on this link.

To read a full Hartford Courant report about his 1999 accident, click on this link.