“Mission First, Officers Always.”

This isn’t about choosing officers over the public. It’s about equipping those who serve with the physical and mental strength to do their jobs well, for themselves, their families, and the communities they swore to protect.

Why It Matters

The average life expectancy for law enforcement officers in the United States is just 56 to 66 years old, 12 to 22 years shorter than civilians. That should shock everyone.

Stress, shift work, obesity, poor diets, and a lack of consistent exercise are killing officers, not in the line of duty, but from within. The #1 cause of death among law enforcement officers is heart disease.

I know how real this is. At just 45, I almost died from an undiagnosed heart issue, a wake-up call that led me to drastically change my life. Now I want to help others avoid that kind of crisis.

Because the most important piece of equipment any officer has is their own health.

Action Plan: Health, Wellness, and Fitness

 Incentivized Fitness Program

We will establish a Sheriff’s Office Wellness & Fitness Program designed to:

• Promote cardiovascular health, strength, and endurance.
• Offer annual health screenings and fitness assessments.
• Incentivize participation with paid wellness time, recognition, and performance benefits.
• Utilize gym partnerships or in-house facilities to eliminate access barriers.

Healthy Lifestyle Promotion

We will support deputies in making better daily choices:

• Offer education on diet, sleep, and long-term wellness.
• Integrate nutrition planning into training programs.
• Encourage a whole-life approach to health, including family wellness.

Mental Health: “It’s OK Not to Be OK”

Mental wellness is just as critical as physical health, and just as overlooked.

Our deputies are first on scene for tragedies the public rarely sees. They absorb trauma daily, yet are often expected to bury it and move on. That’s not just wrong, it’s dangerous.

We will:

• Partner with organizations that provide confidential, no-cost mental health services.
• Train supervisors to recognize early warning signs of emotional stress, depression, and burnout.
• Implement routine mental health check-ins, not just crisis responses.
• Build a culture where officers feel safe to ask for help without fear of punishment or stigma.

This isn’t about excuses. It’s about protection from within.

Because Their Health Protects Us All

Officers who are unwell, physically or emotionally, cannot perform to the standards this community deserves. They are more likely to:

• Use poor judgment in stressful situations
• Be reactive rather than calm and composed
• Suffer from long-term health issues that increase taxpayer burden and reduce effectiveness

Wellness is not a luxury. It’s a professional responsibility.

Final Thought

Yes, some individuals may not belong in this profession, and we’ll address that with integrity and accountability. But let’s not forget:

Most officers are good men and women, doing a hard job, who sometimes have hard days. They deserve leadership that supports them, because when they are at their best, the community is safer, stronger, and better served.