What do Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska have in common? In addition to being among the least populated states, they have the highest suicide rates. In 2021, each of these states had a suicide rate of more that 30 suicides per 100,000 people.[1] Recently, I was visiting with Bonneville County Sheriff Sam Hulse. Sheriff Hulse said that over a four-day period, his deputies responded to six suicides in the county. The population of Bonneville County is around 134k and much of that is policed by Idaho Falls PD. On a personal note, in a two-week period earlier this summer, a 14-year-old classmate of my granddaughter and a doctor my wife knew both died by suicide, and I received three phone calls from people who knew someone that was struggling with suicidal ideation.
Suicide continues to be a severe problem in America. In fact, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people in America aged 10-34 years, second only to unintentional injury.[2] World Population Review comments, “Suicide is a serious issue…. One thing that is a heavy commonality among people who die by suicide is an unshakeable feeling of dread, despair, loneliness, and hopelessness.”[3]
Dread, despair, loneliness, and hopelessness. Awful words. The final word, hopelessness is the natural result of the three emotions. With hope we can see past dread. Hope is the opposite of despair. And with hope loneliness is replaced by companionship. Hope is the key, but it must be real hope. It cannot be some baseless hope that things will turn around, but a hope founded on a solid foundation. In our suicide seminar, based on my book, “Suicide is Not an Option,” Sherry and I share with officers the real hope that only God offers. We are spiritual beings and real hope lies in things beyond what the physical world can offer. The seminar and book are for those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts and those who wish to serve or minister to others who struggle with suicidal ideation.
Books
Every now and then we’ll hear a report of how the Strong Blue Line impacts the lives of officers. Here’s part of a recent letter sent to Burke Swearingen of Blue Watch Foundation. The Alabama organization purchases and gives away copies of “Winning a Gunfight” to Alabama officers who are involved in a shooting. Here’s what a chief wrote to Burke after two of his officers received a copy of “Winning a Gunfight.”
“Winning a Gunfight” is a powerful tool in helping our officers through this challenging time. For most people, the event is already old news and they have moved on to the next issue. However, we know these incidents do not ever leave those involved. As their colleagues, family, and friends let the incident fade from their daily thoughts, the officers are always on guard for when that memory comes back screaming at them in full force. The tools they learn from reading the book give them a fighting chance to keep those demons at bay.
We are grateful to hear the books provided to officers are making a positive impact. We are also grateful to Blue Watch for making the books available to officers. If you would like to provide copies of our books to officers, you can purchase them here or donate for us to distribute books.
On the Road
Last month, Sherry and I presented the Strong Blue Line Foundation (SBLF) at The Falls Church in Idaho Falls, ID. Thanks to Pastor Sam Villalta and the congregation for welcoming us and allowing us to present the SBLF’s mission and goals. We continue to look for more opportunities to present to individuals, churches, and businesses who might be interested in partnering with us to make the thin blue line a strong blue line. If you can help us, make a connection please contact us.
We plan to be at Protector’s Peak (protectorspeak.com) at the end of the month helping Nate and Becky Harder with a retreat for veterans. Nate is a former Marine and retired police officer. He and Becky serve officers and their spouses that come from around the country to Protector’s Peak. Following that, we’ll be busy all the way up to the holidays with seminars and events in Minnesota, Iowa, Tennessee, Texas, and Idaho.
Pray for your police.
[1] (worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/suicide-rates-by-state)
[2] (nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide)
[3] (worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/suicide-rates-by-state)
