Episode 5
Heroes at Work
Gabe listens and asks questions as I take him back to 1998, where I was a four year call taker. The Thurston High School shooting was my first big event in law enforcement. Gabe was surprised by the technology and logistical issues, as was I looking back ;). After the worst call of my four year career, I didn’t know what to expect. I felt the emotional rollercoaster most of us experience but, I did not understand how much it affected me. It was years later I put it all together. Secondary trauma– having a name for it is so powerful.
Gabe puts in gaming terms, trauma is like d8 medium damage in D&D.
“There’s a pool of health and there is only so much you can take,” Gabe explains.
Gabe and I had shared our plans in case he ended up in a school shooting.
We go on to share our Miracle story of true heroes. Two angel citizens who saved a girl from a would-be kidnapper. They called 911 as they were in pursuit of the suspect who tried to snatch a child. I was privileged to take their call and provide the link between them and the officers burning down the roads to get to the suspect. Thanks to these amazing citizens they made sure he did not get away. The bad guy did not stand a chance as all agencies were ON IT. NOT ON OUR WATCH. I am eternally grateful for the citizens and officers' combined efforts to save this little girl.
Being the right person at the right time and acting without worry for oneself is a true hero. Blessed are the Good Samaritans.
LINKS:
Dr. Les Carter Surviving Narcissism
Walter Cronkite https://g.co/kgs/115ZCT
FRONTLINE on Kipland Kinkel, The Killer at Thurston High School
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/kinkel/
President Clinton comes to Springfield, Oregon to pay respects to the families to Thurston High School shooting.
https://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/06/13/clinton.radio/
Springfield Police:
Suspect in attempted child abduction killed self as officers closed in
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