Dec 2023. Blues Vol 39 No. 12

DR. TINA JAECKLE
blue mental health
Survivors of LODD:
We Honor Your Journey to Healing
I have had the blessing to
meet countless inspirational
survivors throughout my long
career and their stories have
deeply touched my heart. Given
that this monthly column
focuses on mental health and
law enforcement, I believe it
is essential to hear directly
from those who have walked
this incredibly difficult journey.
We can learn powerful
life lessons and
gain perspective, appreciation,
and respect for
those who continue to
serve every day, and for
those who have made
the ultimate sacrifice.
We should also never
forget those left behind
in the aftermath. There is
a true difference between
the concepts of
“victim” and “survivor”,
and it often involves ongoing
introspection and
reaching out for professional
assistance as
needed. This story is the
first in a series in which I
will highlight these long
roads to reconciliation
and healing through the
words of those who have lived
it. We at the BLUES Police
Magazine continue to send our
love and prayers for peace and
comfort to all survivors this
holiday season and beyond.
“Line of Duty Death (LODD)”.
This phrase is commonly
spoken in the law enforcement
profession. In a police
academy, officers and their
DR. TINA JAECKLE
families are encouraged to
have a plan, in the event the
worst day imaginable rears
its painful head. No matter
how well your will is
written, how much life
insurance you have, or
how many times you
told your loved one “I
love you”, you are never
prepared for the LODD
of your loved one. We
know the moment Micah
took his last breath
that he immediately
entered the presence of
Jesus. While we lived
with the hope of seeing
Micah again, our lives
on this earth had been
shattered.
Our family will never
forget February 5, 2018,
when we all received
word, that Micah gave
his life while protecting
his community and the
160 The Blues 40th Anniversary Issue