Well it has been a tough month since our last blog. Since then our Officers have investigated two (2) murder-suicides. These were both difficult for our Officers and other responding emergency personnel because they really hit home. The second murder-homicide was especially difficult for all of the emergency personnel involved, because our murder victim was an 8 month old baby boy, who was murdered by his father. We all struggled with how somebody could do something like this to a baby, but especially their own baby. What a lot of people don’t see is the aftermath of these tragedies and their effects on emergency personnel who respond. Our Officers carry each one of these tragedies with them for the rest of their lives and always have questions about what if…. We realize this and in response with the help of surrounding agencies we were able to put together a Critical Incident Stress Management debriefing for all of the personnel who responded to the murder of this innocent baby. We had police, victim witness, fire, paramedics and dispatchers all together to talk about this horrific incident and from what I have heard it was very helpful for all involved. Each day we take steps to try and lesson this type of stress on our emergency responders and I hope we are making some progress.
So the next time you see an emergency responder, say a little prayer for them or give them a little show of support, because you just don’t realize some of the things they have seen. They are all caring human beings, who are trying to do the best job they can do.
Deputy Chief Tracy L. Basterrechea