Dec 2023. Blues Vol 39 No. 12

Editor-at-Large: Chief Rex Evans
Senior Editor: Dr. Tina Jaeckle
I’ve been around law enforcement my entire life. I’m a
fourth generation first responder. While I’ve worked at many
agencies in my career, most of my time has been spent right
here in the Houston / Harris County area of Texas.
I’ve worked the streets as a Deputy for the Harris County
Sheriff’s Office and Constable’s Office, been a Captain at
the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, and eventually served as
Chief of Police for several different agencies. Like all law enforcement
officers, I’ve had some really great times and some
bad days as well.
All that aside, the great times or the not so great are one
thing. But the people I have met along the way, will always
mean the most. I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside
some of the best, brightest, and bravest men and women
in Law Enforcement, and that has been the privilege of a
lifetime.
Throughout all these years, there has always been a “constant”
in my life. Like an old friend of sorts. And that constant
was The BLUES. I can remember looking forward to the
new issue every month for the latest stories and information
about our profession. The war stories touched your heart and
the Light Bulb Awards were equally entertaining.
Fast forward to today. I never imagined that I would one
day be involved in a magazine that has meant so much to me
over the years. Not only do I enjoy the writing, I’ve had the
opportunity to work alongside Michael Barron and the unbelievable
team at The BLUES. Together we have grown the
little newspaper that could, into the largest police magazine
in the world. It has been a wild ride, and one I am eternally
grateful for. Long live The BLUES.
REX EVANS
I had the blessing to serve as a licensed clinical social
worker in Florida and Georgia, with over two decades of
mental health experience with law enforcement and first
responders. I have presented nationally on issues of crisis,
trauma, stress, critical incidents, officer-involved shootings,
resiliency, and LE suicide. I am currently the primary EAP
counselor for police and corrections for the Jacksonville
(Florida) Sheriff’s Office and have extensive experience in
the development, coordination, and training of law enforcement
and fire rescue critical incident stress management
programs. I am board-certified in emergency crisis response
and bereavement trauma through the American Academy of
Experts in Traumatic Stress; a member of American Board
of Critical Incident Professionals; a Fellow with the National
Center for Crisis Management; a former visiting professor at
the FBI Academy (Behavioral Science Unit/National Academy)
in Quantico, Virginia; a past instructor the US DOJ; and
certified in force science analysis (Force Science Institute). I
was fortunate to complete a fellowship as the FBI’s Futurist
in Residence for 2008–2009 and researched illegal immigration,
culture, and future policing implications. I was selected
for the Distinguished Alumni Award for the Criminal Justice
Institute at Nova Southeastern University, the Commitment
to Social Change Award from Walden University for raising
awareness on PTSD issues for first responders, and the Bernard
L. Turner Award (Walden) for committee work on the
distinguished student dissertation. I additionally serve as the
National Education and Outreach Coordinator for Responder
Support Services in Asheville, North Carolina, and am a
senior editor and writer for the BLUES Police Magazine. I am
deeply grateful to continue to walk the journey with our first
responders and provide support as needed.
TINA JAECKLE
The Blues 40th Anniversary Issue 109 109