Send us a text

The badge doesn't shield officers from trauma. For Detective Sergeant Kellen Voss, a routine domestic violence call becomes the breaking point when he discovers two young children witnesses to an unspeakable tragedy. What follows is a haunting journey through the shadows of post-traumatic stress—the nightmares, hypervigilance, and isolation that threaten to end his career.

When forced into counseling, Voss initially resists. "I'm fine" becomes his mantra, even as his hands shake during calls and his reports shrink from novels to haikus. Through sessions with Dr. Webb and the unexpected mentorship of Training Officer Brinley McKenzie, Voss slowly confronts the truth: being a good cop means acknowledging your humanity, not denying it.

This powerful narrative takes us beyond the trauma into healing as Voss masters tactical breathing techniques and learns to distinguish between necessary caution and paralyzing fear. His transformation culminates in becoming a peer counselor himself, creating a groundbreaking support program that saves careers and lives. The story reaches full circle when he helps a rookie officer through a similar crisis, demonstrating how vulnerability becomes strength when shared with others.

Whether you wear a badge or simply want to understand the psychological cost of protecting our communities, this episode offers rare insight into the minds of those who run toward danger when others run away. The resilience techniques discussed apply far beyond policing—they're tools for anyone navigating trauma's aftermath.

Share this episode with the officers in your life. Sometimes the strongest act of partnership isn't backing them up on a dangerous call—it's giving them permission to acknowledge when they're not okay.

Support the show