A Father's Mission After Tragedy: The Story Behind Lucas's Crusade

 

West Palm Beach, Fl - The tragedy of losing a child is one no parent should ever endure. But for Brian Sizemore, this unthinkable pain has become a daily reality, and a lifelong mission. His son, Lucas Henry Sizemore, was only 24 years old when he died by suicide.

You can listen to the interview as a free podcast streaming on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most major podcast platforms.

Lucas had just begun his dream career as an Atlanta City Police Officer. A proud member of the Zone 4 Evening Watch, he had recently graduated from the police academy and was eager to serve his community. His sudden passing on January 9th sent shock waves through the department, his hometown in Michigan, and most devastatingly, his family.

“Our hearts are broken, but God is helping us get through each day,” Brian said in a heartfelt statement. “You are loved by so many and will be missed every second of every day for the rest of all of our lives.”

Lucas's life was marked by passion, promise, and service. After graduating from Eastern Michigan University, he interned with Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit. That experience further ignited his calling to protect and serve. In addition to his career goals, Lucas was a vibrant young man who loved camping, hunting, motorcycle rides, and music. He was a regular at concerts in his spare time. He was also a devoted son, brother, and dog lover.

The loss has left his family reeling. “The devastation we feel, my wife, myself, and Lucas’s brother Evan, is still as raw as it was that day,” Brian explained. But amidst their sorrow, the Sizemores are determined that their son’s death will not be in vain.

From their grief was born Lucas’s Crusade. It’s not just a tribute to their beloved son; it’s a movement. The name LUCAS now stands for Law Enforcement’s United Crusade Against Suicide. The mission? To raise awareness about suicide among police officers and to advocate for better mental health resources across the nation’s law enforcement agencies.

“We will do our best to honor you and help all of your fellow officers,” Brian said, speaking directly to Lucas’s memory. “You do your part, watch over and protect every one of them.”

The statistics are sobering. In the United States, police officers are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. The stigma around mental health continues to plague departments nationwide, making it difficult for officers to ask for help before it's too late. Brian Sizemore is determined to break that silence, one conversation, one story, one life at a time.

Following Lucas’s passing, the Atlanta Police Department responded with an outpouring of support. They coordinated an honorable discharge and funeral service before returning Lucas to Michigan, where he was cremated at Molnar Funeral Homes, Brownstown Chapel. In a public statement, the department reflected on his service:

“In his time with the department, he dedicated himself to serving and protecting our community. Lucas was not just one of us, he was family.”

His memory lives on in the hearts of many: his parents, Brian and Marie; his younger brother, Evan; and a loving network of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Lucas’s passing is a heartbreaking reminder of the invisible battles many first responders face, and the urgent need to support them.

“We are broken, but we are not defeated,” Brian said in an emotional interview featured on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other social media platforms. “Lucas’s life had meaning, and his story will help save others.”

Supporters of Lucas’s Crusade are encouraged to donate to the Atlanta Police Foundation’s Officer Emergency Fund in his memory. Every donation helps officers in crisis get the support they need.

“This is not just about one life lost,” Brian says. “It’s about preventing the next.”

Lucas’s story is a call to action. The silence surrounding police deaths by suicide must end, and Lucas’s Crusade is here to start the conversation.

In Loving Memory of Officer Lucas Henry Sizemore
💙 1999 – 2024 💙

To learn more or support the mission, visit Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast or search Lucas Crusade on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Every voice matters. Every story shared can save a life.

Attributions

Molnar Funeral Home

Lucas Crusade

Law Enforcement United

11 Alive

 



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