How to Keep from Worrying About your LEO when they are at Work
It was the morning of December 2nd, 2015 and I was at work. I began receiving text after text asking me if my LEO was okay. I had no idea what they were referring to until I pulled up a news page on my computer. That daunting red banner was alive, indicating breaking news. There was an active shooter at the Inland Regional Center in the city that my LEO works in.
Alarm
Certainly, this career path certainly opens the door to danger. In my mind, my alarm sensors that range from my normal 0 out of 10 went up to a 4 in that situation. I say a 4 because I know that my LEO is incredibly skilled and equipped and he has an amazing team of LEOs that he works with. In contrast, I also understand the growing escalation of the situation. From all that my LEO has shared with me and even taught me in regard to his intense training, I had full confidence in him and the department.
I recall texting my LEO, telling him that I knew what he was dealing with and that I didn’t expect a check-in text back right away. The text was short, expressed my concern for his status, yet I did not sound needy in a way that would impede his judgement. Work in the office occupied my time and I ensured this purposefully. Then I made sure to close the news browser so that I didn’t feel the need for constant updates that would create worry for me.
Texts From Friends and Family
As I received texts from concerned friends and family, I explained to them that my LEO is very good at what he does. I expressed the training and tools that he has to maintain his safety and performance at work. Then I ensured everyone that I would let them know once I heard from him. This stopped the texts from flowing in with media updates, which I appreciated.
I later learned that my husband had his cell phone in his front pocket, obstructed by his rifle plate vest. This particular vest weighs 30 pounds and needless to say, the cell phone was not accessible, nonetheless on his mind to go digging for.
14 people lost their lives that December day and 22 more were injured.
Receiving a Status Update From my LEO
It was hours later when I stepped away from my office to warm up some tea. I returned to a short voicemail from another number (one of my husband’s partner’s phones). The message was from my husband telling me that he was okay and that he would probably be home late that night. I text our friends and family back to let them know that my LEO was okay and that I appreciated their concern. Then I went back to finish up my workday before heading home, okay with the fact that I wouldn’t hear from my husband for some time.
Turning the Day Off
My alarm sensors dropped back to a 0 in terms of his safety. Although I knew that he was okay, I couldn’t help but think about all that he had to witness that day. When he came home, he was exhausted. He shared a little about his day but instead of focusing on the ‘tell me what happened,’ I focused on just him. I made him a late meal while he showered. When he was done eating, we rested on the couch as I rubbed his head. I knew that all that this strong man needed when he got home was a loving and supportive wife. I didn’t want to pull on any strings and I knew that as time went on, he would (and has) open up more to me about that day.
What is Your Experience
Can you recall a time when the dangers of your LEO’s profession were at the forefront? How did this make you feel? Were there any coping mechanisms that you found helped you to maintain composure? Have you ever been in such a situation where you couldn’t help it and you broke down in tears? I understand all of these feelings and let me say that there is nothing wrong with you for feeling any of this. As we start to build this community of support, we will realize that we have shoulders and words of advice and comfort to give to one another.
As we reflect on some of these difficult times of the past, know that I think that you are beautiful, you are strong, you are LEO Warriors.
