AAs a child, Adam dreamed of becoming an “ER car man,” a dream fulfilled through military service and policing—until a call to Walmart on April 8, 2016, changed everything. Confronted by a woman with a hatchet, Adam used deadly force. Though cleared, the incident sparked a silent battle with PTSD.
He shares a raw account of self-destruction—alcohol, casual encounters, and isolation—and the institutional silence that followed. After proper mental health care, Adam returned to policing as a captain and now advocates for first responder mental health, showing that healing is possible and no one should suffer in silence.
Connect with Adam:
Website: StopTheThreatStopTheStigma.org
Email: adam@stopthethreatstopthestigma.org
Connect with Jen:
I Need Blue now has a new home at The Healing in Sharing! Visit thehealinginsharing.com to explore Round Chair Conversations, all relevant I Need Blue content, and ways to support the mission of sharing stories that inspire hope and resilience.
By sharing the hidden lines of our stories, we remind each other we are not alone — together, we step out of hiding and into healing.
Instagram: @ineedbluepodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ineedblue
Apple Podcasts: Listen & Subscribe
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHealingInSharing11
Memoir: Why I Survived, by Jennifer Lee on Amazon
