Sewell To Fill Vacancy at Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy

What began as a coincidence appears to be more of a case of musical chairs, according to a Post and Courier report.

Mount Pleasant Police Chief Harry Sewell will be filling a position at Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy left vacant by Eddie Driggers. Set to be ordained next month, Driggers announced two weeks ago that he's leaving his role as deputy senior chaplain at Coastal Crisis to become North Charleston's new police chief.

With 22 years as Mount Pleasant's top cop, Sewell's last day will be Dec. 31. In announcing his retirement last week, Sewell noted his plan to become a minister.

"Over the last year or so, I have been getting a strong call to go into the ministry to serve my Lord, Jesus Christ; therefore, I am going to pursue this calling," Chief Sewell wrote.

Sewell will fit in well at the chaplaincy. Driggers began his second carrer as a chaplain after more than 30 years in law enforcement, retiring from the Charleston County Sheriff's Office as a second-in-command to Sheriff Al Cannon. 

North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey surprised some community leaders by announcing Driggers' selection less than two weeks after receiving Chief Jon Zumalt's resignation letter.

Driggers begins work Jan. 1 in North Charleston, learning the department until Zumalt leaves at the end of January. 

Summey has noted several times that Driggers combination law enforcement experience, as well as his role as a crisis chaplain.

"We need someone with the skills to lead the police department and the heart to lead people," Summey told City Council.