A Police Officer’s Journey from Trauma to Healing: When the Shooting Stops

 

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - In a society that often glorifies the bravery of law enforcement, the aftermath of the action, the moments when the sirens fade and the adrenaline subsides, rarely gets the spotlight. For Kevin Foster, a retired Texas police officer, those quiet times have often been the most challenging. “There’s a cost to every call, every shot fired, every friend you lose,” Foster says, his voice carrying the weight of decades in uniform. “When it gets quiet, that’s when the real battle starts—in your mind.”

Foster recently opened up about his 45-year career in a candid interview on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast. The episode, freely accessible on the podcast’s website and platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, offers a rare glimpse into the emotional toll borne by those who serve. A veteran of the Fort Worth Police Department, TCU Police, and the local Sheriff’s Office, Foster’s career is a testament to dedication, but it’s the personal scars, not the accolades, that define his story.

One memory stands out: a routine call that spiraled into chaos. “One suspect took my weapon in a fight and tried to shoot me. My partner and I had no choice, we shot to survive,” he recalls. The danger didn’t end there, another suspect opened fire, wounding his partner. “That gunfight lasted only minutes,” Foster adds, “but the emotional fallout lasted years.” Another haunting incident involved an active shooter. “The radio was alive with screams. Officers were yelling for backup. The killer was on a rampage,” he says. Despite extensive training, he admits, “You’re never really ready for it.”

These experiences left deep marks, eventually leading to a diagnosis of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). Foster now speaks openly about his struggles, aiming to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health in law enforcement. “We don’t talk enough about what happens to police when the shooting stops,” he explains. “The shooting might end, but the echoes stay with you.”

Yet Foster’s story isn’t just one of pain, it’s one of purpose. After retiring, he channeled his energy into honoring his fallen colleagues. As Chairman Emeritus and Research Director for the Fort Worth Police and Firefighters Memorial, he helped bring a million-dollar tribute to life in 2009. He also turned to writing as a way to process his experiences. Alongside historian Richard F. Selcer, he co-authored Written in Blood: The History of Fort Worth’s Fallen Lawmen, a two-volume series documenting officer deaths from 1861 to 1928. His other works, Fort Worth Cops – The Inside Stories and End of Watch – Fort Worth’s Fallen Officers 1873–2024, weave together gripping tales of duty with a mission to remember those who gave everything.

“Our job isn’t just about enforcing the law,” Foster reflects. “It’s about protecting people, even when it breaks us.” Today, he finds solace in therapy, faith, writing, and community involvement—a blend of introspection and strength. “It’s a daily fight,” he admits, “but I’ve come a long way, and I want other officers to know they’re not alone.”

In an era where law enforcement faces intense scrutiny and polarizing debates, Foster’s voice cuts through the noise, reminding us of the humanity behind the badge. His journey, from trauma to healing, offers not just a story of survival, but a beacon of hope. The full interview is available on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website and major platforms. For more, listeners can follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Medium, and X.

Foster’s books, available at major retailers, go beyond tales of danger—they spark a vital conversation about resilience, purpose, and the unseen struggles that linger when the shooting stops.

Attributions

Amazon

Fort Worth Police Department

Amazon

Texas A & M University Press

 



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