Audio sermon of the funeral of Fontana police officer – Vietnam War veteran Chris Gibson, by Bill Rhetts

Praise report and audio sermon of the funeral of Fontana police officer – Vietnam War veteran Chris Gibson

A Praise report and audio sermon of the funeral of Fontana police officer – Vietnam War veteran Chris Gibson

Today was the funeral service for a great man. An officer and a gentleman  Chris Gibson was a hero in so many ways. During the Vietnam War Chris proudly and bravely served our Nation in the United States Navy. He was an aviation ordinance man.

After his stellar military service, Chris continued his service to our country as a police officer with the Fontana police department. Chris was one of the original founders of their Special Enforcement Detail (SED.) SED is more commonly known as SWAT.

Present today was a large turnout from the Fontana police department, family and many friends. Also present was three generations of former police chiefs, as well as retired command staff; and a retired Mayor. The seats were nearly full, as some stood in the back.

With precision and accuracy, the Fontana police departments honor guard detail did a fine presentation. The two singers did a fantastic job providing worship music.

The following is the order of service, and below is an audio of the sermon given.

• The processional
• Honor guard posting
• Opening prayer by pastor Dave Zierenberg of Grace Bible Church
• Slide show
• ‘One more day’ sung by Barbara Gene
• The funeral message, officiated by Chaplain Bill Rhetts
• Guest speaker, Fontana police chief Rodney Jones
• Guest speaker, Lt Dan Castellini
• Guest speaker, Lt Bob Doyle
• Guest speaker, Bill Dodson
• ‘Amazing grace,’ sung by Mike Keith
• Presentation of the American flag to Mrs. Gibson, by the Fontana police honor guard / chief of police
• A Bagpiper played the traditional bagpipes, as he marched through the church
• Closing prayer by Bill Rhetts
• A reception at the Silver Lakes country club, and wonderful dinner.

We thank Grace Bible Church for allowing the family to use their beautiful church.

Thank You Lord for the gift of eternal life that You have bestowed upon our beloved Chris. Thank You Lord that we can have assurance that Chris is EOW in heaven.  My beloved Chris, I did not come here today to say goodbye. I came to say ‘I’ll see you again soon.’

Lord we ask that Your amazing love and grace continue to be with the Gibson family. “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2

By the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord gave me His conviction to preach a Biblical message that warned of the place called “hell,” the warnings of false conversions, and that many “believers” won’t go to heaven (Matt 7:21-23,) unless they are “born-again,” and repent.

Below is the audio of my 20 minute funeral message, which also includes the first two guest speakers.  The memory card ran out of space for the last two speakers.

Regarding the two speakers at the end. The first speaker (the current chief of police,) shared how he was choked-out as a rookie cop. The second speaker tells about a police officer choking out his own chief of police, while handling a radio call of a 415man at a bar fight. I love old cop stories.