history
In 2016, Tim published Winning a Gunfight and soon after started offering training to law enforcement officers (LEOs) based on the book and the Strong Blue Line was born. His books Winning is More than Surviving, Suicide is Not an Option, and Moral Injury in Policing also provided opportunities for Tim to train not only officers, but police chaplains across the country. Over the years, the Strong Blue Line has served thousands of LEOs and their families through books, seminars, retreats, conferences, podcasts, and appreciation events. In the early years, agencies and officers paid for the training and received continuing education credits that helped them maintain their law enforcement officer license.
The “defund the police” debacle caused many agencies to cut back on their training budget and could no longer afford the training they wanted for their officers. But Tim and Sherry knew there were still many citizens who support the police and in 2023, the couple decided to start a nonprofit to help fund the resources and events so valuable to LEOs and their families.
In 2023, the Strong Blue Line Foundation was created, Sherry quit her nursing job and the two began raising money with the goal of fully funding the Strong Blue Line mission through donations from people who care about cops.
The Adopt a Cop initiative is an outgrowth of the desire to provide the resources and training to even more LEOs and their families. Please partner with the Strong Blue Line to make stronger officers with stronger relationships.
Learn "What Guides Us" HERE
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Tim Rupp (CEO)
Tim was a career police officer before being called into fulltime vocational ministry. He enlisted in the Air Force after graduating high school. After his enlistment, Tim joined the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) and served 24 years before retiring in 2007. During his SAPD career he worked as a patrol officer, homicide detective, patrol sergeant, sex crimes sergeant, police academy supervisor. From 2009-2020, Tim served as a reserve deputy with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office in Idaho.
Before retiring from the SAPD, Tim also pastored Elm Creek Baptist Church in La Vernia, TX. Following his retirement in 2007, he was called to pastor fulltime in Idaho Falls, where he pastored until 2020. In July 2020, Tim focused on the Strong Blue Line to reach law enforcement officers.
Tim is an ordained minister with the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination and serves as a Law Enforcement Chaplain. He graduated from Texas State University (Master of Science in Criminal Justice), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education), and Western Seminary (Doctor of Ministry). Tim has authored several books, including Winning a Gunfight and Suicide is Not an Option. He is married to Sherry, and they have three children, Christina, Aaron (Kayla), and Emily (Dylan) and several grandchildren.
Sherry Rupp (Director, non-voting)
Sherry desires that all law enforcement officers and their families have a personal relationship with Jesus. She quit her full-time nursing job in March of 2023 to join Tim in serving with the Strong Blue Line Foundation. She enjoys ministering to LEO’s through Strong Blue Line seminars and events.
Sherry was a stay home mom for many years to care for her three children. She was a volunteer EMT for five years in Texas where she lived. Sherry earned her Bachelor of Science from Boise State University since living in Idaho. Over the years, Sherry has served in multiple church ministries to include the nursery, AWANA, a kitchen cook, and teaching children. She currently serves as a greeter and in ladies’ ministry at Watersprings Church. She also serves alongside Tim with the Christian Motorcyclists Association and minister to bikers all over the country.
Sherry and Tim married in 1986, have three children and several grandchildren. She loves being a grandma.
James Runcorn (President)
James is the lead pastor at Hope Church in Spencer, IA. He has earned a Master of Divinity from Hope International University and a Doctor of Ministry from Lincoln Christian University.
James served in the U.S. Army Honor Guard and as a sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
For nearly 2 decades, he was an actor and producer, known for Love Is (2007), Dumplings (2023) and Unplugged (2014).
He has been married to Tena Runcorn since December 18, 1993. They have seven children.
Mark Thrush (Treasurer)
Mark is a retired Police Detective and United States Air Force Veteran. He served during Desert Storm from 1987 to 1991. In 1991, he joined the Stockton (CA) Police Department and served 26 years. During his career he was a Military Police Officer and NCO. In the Air Force, his duties included working patrol, investigations, and SWAT. Mark was awarded the USAF Good Conduct, Achievement, and Commendation, medals. During his career with the Stockton PD, Mark worked patrol, K9, and Detectives. He investigated Juvenile, Financial, Property, Robbery/Homicide crimes, and officer-involved shootings. He also volunteered as a Tactical Flight Officer for Stockton Metro Air Support. His experience and training also included certification as a US DOT Drug Recognition Evaluator, DOJ FBI Firearms Instructor, and CA Post Advanced Certification.
Chrissy Slavens (Secretary)
Chrissy is a single mom of a daughter and two sons. Originally from Texas, now lives in Idaho. She has a degree in speech therapy and works with children in special education at District 91 in Idaho Falls. Chrissy is also a real estate agent. She loves to cook, travel, and exercise. Her biggest goal is to raise children who love Jesus and work hard. Her father was a career police officer.
Heidi Hogan (Director)
Heidi Hogan, MSN RN, is a Kansas native, an enthusiastic supporter of the thin blue line and encourager of law enforcement wives. She is a devoted Christ follower, a wife to her officer of 21yrs and bio/foster mama. She is a primarily a homemaker, but enjoys a side gig as an ER nurse, teaches 8th graders at a homeschool co-op, is active member of her church, and loves a good nap.
She has served with the Kansas 10-33 Foundation Advisory Council, Badge of Hope Ministries (2015-2018), and as Director of Family Support for Midwest Chaplain Network (2018-2024). Heidi has organized multiple Law Enforcement Marriage Conferences and rallies, spoken at Breaching the Barricade, Midwest Chaplains Association Fall and Spring Summits, LEOW Education/Support events, and she also writes for Law Enforcement Today and Law Officer, a widely circulated law enforcement publication. She is a former member of Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers and actively serves as a peer advocate with Serve & Protect.
Dave Evans (Director)
Dave Evans is a retired law enforcement professional whose career with the San Antonio Police Department spanned 34 years, from 1986 to December 31, 2020. Over the course of his service, Dave held a variety of roles, beginning in the Patrol Division and progressing through assignments in the Traffic Division, Homicide/Sex Crimes as a Detective, and supervisory positions in the Patrol Division, Training Academy, Driving While Intoxicated Unit, Chief’s Office, and Homicide Unit.
Dave’s final assignment with the San Antonio Police Department from 2015 until the end of 2020 was in the Homicide Unit supervising a team of Detectives that investigated murders, officer-involved shootings, suicides, and apparent sudden deaths until his retirement at the end of 2020.
In addition to his law enforcement service and Criminal Justice Degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Dave also earned his Bachelor of Music Education Degree in 2009 from the University of Texas at San Antonio and is a member of the San Antonio Wind Symphony. Dave’s outdoor interests include hunting, fishing, golf, hiking, and pickleball.
Dave has been married to Annette for 25 years and they share one daughter who is an Animal Control Officer for the City of Schertz.
Dave’s meaning and purpose in life is to be the best expression of Christ he can be as an example to others and to serve in whatever way God sees fit to use him.
