Introducing Survivors of Blue Suicide Foundation Inc.
In 2020, the survivors of law enforcement suicide established the Survivors of Blue Suicide Foundation (SBS), a non-profit 501c(3) dedicated to fostering hope by uniting survivors and honoring our fallen heroes, modeled after and empowered by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.).
SBS supports all family members and co-workers of active and retired law enforcement officers (local, county, state, federal and tribal police) who have died by suicide in the United States and its Territories.
Our law enforcement officers are exposed on a daily basis to some of the most horrific and traumatizing events, which leave lasting scars. These officers struggle with sleepless nights, mood changes, physical and emotional changes, difficulty with personal relationships, and emotional numbness. The cumulative stress of a law enforcement career takes its toll on officers, which sadly, at times, ends in suicide. Available statistics reflect that in 2019 148 officers died in the line of duty compared to 236 suicides. In 2020 excluding COVID related deaths, there were 118 line of duty deaths and 173 reported suicides. Noticeably, more officers are dying at their own hands than at the hands of others.
Survivors of Blue Suicide is working with families and agencies to establish best practices on navigating the aftermath of an officer suicide, just as C.O.P.S. does for line of duty deaths. Most agencies do not have established policies on handling funerals, department debriefings and family connections when an officer dies by suicide. While we know there is a stigma surrounding suicide, SBS is ready to talk about it. There can’t be prevention without the discussion. We know most will agree that the family did not deserve to lose their officer and SBS wants to help.
In an interview with Sgt. Tim Smith of Norman, OK he stated, “We put so much weight on how they died and not how they lived.” Survivors of Blue Suicide focuses on the life of the officer and the family they leave behind. The families are often forgotten and left to fend for themselves because suicide has historically been a difficult topic for society. SBS wants to change this narrative and encourage agencies to honor and remember all of their fallen heroes and their families.
Survivors of Blue Suicide will be hosting two weekend retreats in 2021 for spouses and parents. Our goals through these programs are for survivors to feel a sense of relief, knowing they are not alone and they are with others who understand, a sense of pride by pushing themselves to try an activity they would never try, gain lifetime friendships and an overall sense of hope for the future. In addition, they will have made friendships that will last a lifetime and have established a new support system they can utilize whenever they need it.
SBS will be hosting a Memorial Service and Candlelight Vigil to honor officers and a National Suicide Survivors’ Conference in the fall of 2021. The memorial events will give the families and agencies an opportunity to honor the life of their officer. These events will initiate awareness and recognize the sacrifice made by law enforcement throughout the nation.
Currently we are hosting monthly virtual sessions, Let’s Just Talk, and educational sessions based on topics chosen by the survivors. These sessions have been extremely successful and well received. We will be continue to host them long after the pandemic ends as they allow survivors to connect and support each other regularly.
If your agency has suffered a loss of an officer to suicide, whether it was a week ago or 25 years ago, please reach out to your families and co-workers affected and let them know Survivors of Blue Suicide is here for them. Our website can be found at survivorsofbluesuicide.org. Contact information: 573-280-9255 or C.O.P.S. office 573-346-4911; email bluesuicide@nationalsbs.org
This column is part of the FEDforum, an initiative to unite voices across the federal community. The FEDforum is a space for federal employee groups to share their organizations’ initiatives and activities with the FEDagent audience.
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