05/17/2026
A police officer was found gone in his cruiser this morning, and they believe substances may have been involved.
And before anyone jumps to judgment, I hope we remember this:
Addiction does not care about your job title.
It does not care if you wear a badge.
It does not care how strong you look on the outside.
It does not care how many people you have helped, saved, protected, or showed up for.
People in high-stress jobs carry things most of us will never see. Trauma, grief, pressure, repeated exposure to tragedy, and silently trying to be “okay” can break a person down over time.
This is why I will always say addiction is not a character flaw. It is pain, trauma, and survival showing up in ways that can become deadly.
The supply out there is not safe. People are not just “partying.” People are hurting. People are trying to numb something. And sometimes they do not make it back.
Today, I’m not judging him.
I’m praying for his family, his department, and every person silently fighting something they are too ashamed to say out loud.
Addiction does not pick and choose.
Check on your strong people.
Check on your first responders.
Check on the ones who always seem fine.
Because sometimes the people saving everyone else are the ones who need saving too.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
