Yesterday, my shift started with joy—I was celebrating an 11-year-old boy’s birthday party with my brothers and sisters at work. But later that same day, I was responding to the tragic death of two babies.
This is the side of the job that most people never see. The raw side. The part that weighs heavy long after the sirens fade. People outside of law enforcement don’t always realize—we grieve too. We hurt too.
But when the next call comes, we show up without tears or anger. We show up for you. And then, when people ask how we cope, my answer is always the same: “I just file it away.”
This photo was taken only a few hours into my shift. I had to wipe away my tears and keep going. I know I’m not the only one carrying this pain. Families suffer far more than I ever will, and I don’t want to take away from their grief. But tonight, it’s on my heart to share this.
With everything going on in the world, maybe this won’t change much. But I pray you’ll have mercy on all of us. Remember—we’re all fighting battles you can’t see. We take off the uniform at night, climb into bed, and try to process the grief like any other human being.
To my brothers and sisters in the field: thank you for not giving up. And please know—I’m always here to listen. 💙