My Story

During my 30-year career in law enforcement including serving as Chief of Police, I saw it all: tragedy, grief, trauma and more. So I know first hand how officers might ask themselves questions like “how evil can one be” and “how can there be a loving God when so much suffering is allowed” or “is there even a God at all”. Cynicism, burnout, and hopelessness ensue and this emotional state often causes divorce, substance abuse, and suicide.

I know first-hand that life in law enforcement isn’t a cakewalk and the challenges continue to mount. When you put your faith in Jesus Christ by telling him you need him in your life and by learning from him, you will not be doing your work alone anymore. You will have a new partner.

I had a belief in Jesus from an early age, but one day I made the decision to ask him to lead my life. Life hasn’t been all rosy. There have been plenty of temptations, doubts and struggles but my faith in a true God is what sustained me.

Thanks for taking the time to read my story. I would love to hear yours or to answer any questions you may have. In the meantime, I hope you will stay connected to BlueWatch and attend one of our future events. We would love to see you.

– Burke Swearingen

What’s Your Story?

Do you have a relationship with Christ? If not, you can begin it today. You can start by going to God in prayer and confessing your sin to him. I hope you see the need to have a savior in your in life. If you do, Jesus is the only way. John 14:6 says” I (Jesus) am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.”

If you want to enter into that same relationship with Christ, you can say a prayer addressing him as a person and confess your sins. Ask him to fill that vacuum in your heart, from murder to anger, and from substance abuse, to verbal abuse. When you do, Christ will come to live in you. Here are few Bible verses that can help.

The first step is to acknowledge you are a sinner. So, you may be asking, what exactly is sin? You may be saying to yourself I am not really that bad of a person, because I am not a killer, or a thief. I’m a responsible adult who takes care of their family. All of this may be true, but sin is more than this. What about your thought life? Are you envious, jealous, or do you hold grudges? You see sin is anything that separates you from the love of God. Romans 3:23-“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” So, if this is true can something be done to fix it? The answer is ‘yes”. In Romans 5:8 it says, “But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we are yet sinners Christ died for us.” This means that Jesus died in our place and paid the penalty for all our sins.
Once you accept that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself then you must place your faith and trust in Christ. John 6:29 says, “This is the work of God that you believe in him who he (God) has sent.” Here the word believe is referring to something much more than a simple head knowledge that there is a god or that Jesus was real. It means trusting what he has done on the cross for you. It means yielding to his way of life. It must begin to bring about a total shift in your way of thinking. Once you do this then you begin a new life that has Christ at the center. It is almost like starting life all over again, beginning as a baby and growing into maturity as an adult. It doesn’t happen overnight but takes a lifetime to reach full maturity when we enter heaven to spend eternity with Christ. In John 3:3, Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

After reading this if you prayed to begin that relationship with Christ or if you have questions and want to talk more, we would like to hear from you. We are here to help. All you have to do is email use at info@bluewatchfoundation.org and we will be in touch. All conversations are confidential.

IWe also encourage you to explore the officer resources below if you are in need of assistance.

Blue Watch Foundation is a valuable community partner for law enforcement officers across the state of Alabama. The organization’s support of officers’ spiritual and mental health through education and mentorship embodies the true spirit of peer support.

Officer Adam Schniper

Officer Resources

Peer Support

Alabama Law Enforcement Alliance Peer Support

www.alleaps.org

Provides first responders with privileged and confidential communications from trained fellow first responders.

Peer Support

The Wounded Blue

thewoundedblue.org

Breaking the stigma by making it easier for injured officers to seek and get the proper assistance they need,

Financial Aid

Philip Mahan Davis Foundation

205-578-8763

officerphilipdavis.com

Financial assistance for officers killed in the line of duty.

Mental Health

Blue Help

bluehelp.org

Resources and education on law enforcement suicide and mental wellness.

Crisis Line

Copline Law Enforcement Hotline

800-267-5463

copline.org

Confidential crisis and talk line staffed by peer-trained retired officers.

Substance Abuse

First Responder substance abuse rehabilitation program. Participants are only amongst other first responders.

bradford.com

Family Resources

NationalCops.org

Website addresses the concerns of police survivors, assisting families who’ve lost a family member in the line of duty.

How2LoveOurCops.org

Website focuses on strategies for families of law enforcement to better understand the challenges of the profession and how to support an officer in a family.

Video Blogs

Recently, BlueWatch produced a handful of videos as educational and inspirational resources for officers. The timeless message contained in this series is as powerful today as it was when they were first created. From leadership to teamwork to embracing the importance of a spiritual “center” in our profession, these message are for you … our fellow officers.