In law enforcement culture, people want to show up when tragedy strikes — but most don't know how to support grieving officers, spouses, or families without saying the wrong thing.
This episode gives practical, compassionate ways to comfort others through grief while respecting law enforcement culture, boundaries, and traditions.
Episode Summary
Join Cyndi Doyle, LPC-S, law enforcement spouse, and author of Hold the Line, as she talks with grief expert Jill Johnson-Young about what real support looks like in moments of loss.
You'll learn:
What not to say when someone is grieving
Simple, meaningful ways to show up for a grieving partner or colleague
How to comfort without crossing boundaries
The power of stories, silence, and small acts of care
Supporting families beyond the funeral — and why it matters most then
Cyndi Doyle is a licensed professional counselor supervisor, founder of Code4Couples®, author of Hold the Line, and a retired police spouse helping first responder couples stay connected through the challenges of the job.
📘 Grab Cyndi's book — Hold the Line: The Essential Guide to Protecting Your Law Enforcement Relationship
👉 https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Line-Protecting-Enforcement-Relationship-ebook/dp/B08TPRTY9G#customerReviews
🎤 Book Cyndi to speak or train your department:
👉 https://code4couples.com/training/
00:00 – Intro: Why grief conversations matter in law enforcement
02:30 – Understanding grief in the first responder world
07:00 – What not to say: Words that hurt instead of help
14:00 – The right way to "just be there"
22:00 – How to support families after the funeral
30:00 – When grief fatigue hits first responders
37:00 – Talking to kids about loss
44:00 – Final thoughts: Show up, tell stories, stay connected
