Life After The Badge

This is my first podcast episode in a couple months. A series of unfortunate events kept me from it, but I am back. 
In this episode, I am sharing a recurring nightmare that haunted me when I was in a bad place during my battle with PTSI. I am looking for others to share their nightmares, and other aspects and symptoms of their battles with this living nightmare. 

This episode features an interview with Retired Davenport, Iowa Police Officer Jason Gillaspie, who, along with Retired Officer Craig Stone, co-host the Broken Badges Podcast. Great interview, and a fantastic Podcast by these two PTSD survivors. 

In this episode, I interview Retired Police Officer Eric Reynolds of the Boynton Beach PD in Florida. Eric was shot in the line of duty, and tells his story of the gunfight, as well as his battle with PTSD afterwards. Eric also has a couple other very interesting stories to share. He is the owner of KetoFiveo.com, and copsandcampers.com. Please check out both of these projects and give Eric some feedback. 

NEVER FORGOTTEN segment this week remembers Officer Aaron Jovon Blount, of the Fulton County PD, in Georgia, killed on 04/22/2003, and Trooper Bruce Clark RANKIN, of the Pennsylvania State Police, who was killed on 04/25/1973. 

This week, I interview Brian Harkins, an Army Vet, Corrections Officer, Paramedic, and for the past 20 years, a Firefighter/Paramedic. Brian is also a PTSD survivor, and his  story of helping others battle PTSD is remarkable. Brian welcomes contact and has supplied the following contact information for anyone who needs help, or for anyone who wants to help. 

Brian Harkins
774-766-0852
[email protected]

This weeks NEVER FORGOTTEN segment looks back at fallen officers Eddie Mundo, Jr., of the LaGrange, KY Police Department, and Agent Angel Gonzalez-Fontanez, of the San Juan, Puerto Rico Police Department. 

This week's guest is California Dispatcher, Debbie Green. Debbie finished a 30 year career with a retirement caused by PTSD. She tells her story, and offers advice to those in a similar career path. 

This week's NEVER FORGOTTEN tribute remembers  Houston, Texas Officer Maria Michelle Groves, killed on April 10, 1987; and Pennsylvania State Corporal Paul Almer, and Trooper Wayne Bilheimer, both killed on April 12, 1989. 

This episode features a new section that will be a weekly addition. I will be remembering two officers a week who were killed in the line of duty. My selections will be from a list of officers that perished on the current week in history. 
I also tell a story based on true, actual events that help explain and share the nightmare of PTSD. 

This episode discusses the support you receive from your family as a first responder, and how that support changes and adapts to the issues you face as a retiree. 

Special guest Jennifer Frey describes these issues as seen through the lens of the spouse of a retired police officer. (Yup...me.)

This episode discusses the gap between generations of law enforcement, and how society has changed the way policework must be done. 

I also talk about the FOP and why it is so important to belong and participate aside from the political activity... even if your chapter is not involved in your contract. 

On January 26th of this year, at 10:18 am, Sgt. Madelin Garcia, a 33 year veteran of the Miami Police Department, made her last call at the end of her last shift upon retiring. What she said caught everyone's attention. Listen to her transmission made amongst numerous allegations of police corruption within the administration of the Miami Police Dept.


References:
 Having the last word. (n.d.). Police1. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.police1.com/chiefs-sheriffs/articles/having-the-last-word-kvwwveM7qDCNxEY7/

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This episode discusses the best states to retire in. The factors of this decision are discussed, including lifestyle consideration and "tax-friendliness" .



REFERENCE:
Deer, P. (n.d.). Best U.S. States to Retire to 2022. Empower.com. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https//:empower.com