EFFECTS OF A LINE OF DUTY DEATH ON SPOUSES

Everyone knows there are risks involved with being a first responder, and nothing brings that closer to home than a line of duty death. Listen to this firsthand experience and consider the often invisible line beyond the front line – the spouses and partners. I believed we were prepared in the event of a death within our agency, and although the policies and procedures may have been in place, what was needed for support was not. My goals for writing and speaking about my experience are:

• Let other spouses who go through this know that they are not alone and what they’re experiencing is normal
• Increase understanding and awareness of the challenges spouses go through when there is a line of duty death
• Improve the support provided to spouses/partners