On April 27, 2019, a gunman entered a Poway synagogue and shot the rabbi and three worshippers. Chaplain Shelly Pinomaki was called to the scene to help the victims’ families and members of the synagogue, as well as detectives who wanted to interview distraught witnesses. She later received a Sheriff’s Commendation for her extraordinary work that day “under difficult conditions.” Pinomaki is in her 10th year volunteering as chaplain with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to helping hundreds of crime victims and their families over the years, she has helped with such traumatic situations as a young mother with suicidal ideations whose husband was killed in military service and a family whose toddler was in cardiac arrest after being pulled from a swimming pool. Chaplain Shelly Pinomaki. (Jan Goldsmith) “We are the heart behind the badge,” she said. “We provide physical, emotional and spiritual support at a time of need.” “They are in a fog and may not think clearly. I validate what they feel and help stabilize them.” She helps them with physical arrangements and obtaining information, acting as a liaison with first responders.  She listens, empathizes and prays with them if they want. Pinomaki’s ability to keep her cool in such emotionally charged environments has its roots in her personal experiences with trauma. Raised in East County, Pinomaki was born in 1965 when her mother was 16 years old. “She was a child trying to raise a child,” Pinomaki said. “And she turned into an alcoholic. “She would tell me I was the reason she drank and wished she never had me. She would beat me, restrict me from social activities and give me more chores.” The abuse began early. At age 9, Pinomaki was responsible for cleaning the house, cooking for the family and caring for her younger brother. Although she took a step toward suicide while in high school, Pinomaki said religion saved her. “My relationship with Jesus was the only thing that kept me alive as a child. I would talk to God and ask why this is happening to me. Jesus provided hope, peace and comfort which gave me strength and courage.” “I would ask neighbors if I could go with them to church, so I experienced lots of different churches.” Shortly after graduating Valhalla High School in 1983, she left home and began working as a graphic artist, a profession she continues with today. Over the years, she maintained her strong Christian faith. Her path to becoming a chaplain began when her step-sister was murdered in Alpine and the family received little support. “[First responders] were so focused on doing their job that they forgot about giving information to the victim’s family. So, we drove to the Alpine substation and were in the lobby begging for information.” “There was no liaison,” she said. “No one to help us. “Once the last [criminal] court hearing was over, I decided that other families should not experience what we did and I looked for solutions.” As she did in childhood, Pinomaki turned to religion. After training, Pinomaki was vouched for by her church and ordained as chaplain in 2014. She has since attended hundreds of hours of additional training and is state-certified to teach chaplaincy.  She has also instructed law enforcement agencies on trauma. Her work as chaplain has been noticed and appreciated. She is second in command among the 30 chaplains and was awarded 2023 Volunteer of the Year for the Sheriff’s Office by San Diego County. Pinomaki lives in Rancho Bernardo with her husband of 24 years, Wayne. They have three adult children. The severe emotional impact of what Pinomaki does as chaplain is draining.  “I often have tears in my eyes when interacting [at the scene], but I have to hold it together. I have to be the strong one for them. After I help the families and first responders, I come home and let it out. My husband is my rock and gives me support. That’s when I get to cry…at home.” About this series Goldsmith is a Union-Tribune contributing columnist. Someone San Diego Should Know appears every other Monday. We welcome reader suggestions of people who have done something extraordinary or otherwise educational, inspiring or interesting and who have not received much previous media. Please send suggestions to Jan Goldsmith at [email protected]