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In this conversation, retired police sergeant Rich Creamer talks about the experiences that led to his involvement in peer support, the unique experience of navigating cancer, and how he is giving back to the public safety wellness industry. Rich is known for having tough conversations, encouraging agencies to transform awareness into action, and helping first responder agencies build thoughtful and effective wellness programs.
About the Guest: Rich Creamer is a US Navy veteran and retired Sergeant with the Norfolk Police Department, where he served with distinction for 24 years. His career began patrolling some of Norfolk’s most crime-ridden neighborhoods and evolved through specialized assignments including the Gang Unit, Homicide, FBI Violent Crime Task Force, Cold Case Homicide, Training Division, and Criminal Intelligence Unit. Over his career, Rich received numerous honors, including Officer of the Year, two U.S. Attorney Public Service Awards, and multiple departmental commendations. In his final assignment with the Training Division, Rich oversaw the development and instruction of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and Peer Support programming, providing direct support and training to both the Norfolk Police Department and other emergency service agencies across the region.
Rich continues to shape the future of first responder wellness as the Director of Public Safety Insights for Lighthouse Health & Wellness, Advisory Board Member for Survive First, Public Safety Liaison for Mutts with a Mission, and Board Member and Trainer for Blue Cancer Connect. He also serves as a Consultant and Family Wellness Co-Chair with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Collaborative Reform Initiative – Technical Assistance Center for Officer Wellness.
As the founder of the Norfolk Public Safety Wellness Initiative, Rich helped launch Virginia’s first facility-dog program, a state-of-the-art functional fitness facility, and holistic wellness partnerships providing float therapy, infrared sauna, massage therapy, and nutrition counseling—all at no cost to public-safety personnel. Today, Rich is the host of the Responder Reset Podcast, a keynote speaker, and an action-oriented advocate for authentic, peer-driven culture change in public-safety wellness. His message is clear: the profession doesn’t need more awareness—it needs action.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Old Dominion University and a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling from Liberty University.
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rich.creamer_77/
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-creamer-60bb37171/
- Website - https://responderreset.com/
- Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@TheResponderResetPodcast
- Blue Cancer Connect - https://bluecancerconnect.org/
Thank you for listening. You can connect with me here:
Instagram: @dr_baumgart
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbaumgart/
Website: https://www.drbaumgart.com/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Retirement-Finding-Purpose-Fulfillment/dp/B0CB99HMVS