Honoring the Calling - Escaping the Abyss

Retired County Sheriff, Richard Stephens has spent a lifetime serving the people of the communities he lives and works within. Not known for shying away from challenges, Richard has filled numerous roles throughout his thirty-year career in Law Enforcement including Detentions Officer, Shift Supervisor, Patrol, Investigations, Swat commander, Training. Mayor, Program Director, County Sheriff, Consultant, Academy Instructor, and Liaison. Richard obtained his master's degree in management and leadership in 2012 from Liberty University out of Lynchburg Virginia and has lead teams of men and woman through a wide variety of incidents including: The Columbine High School Shooting aftermath, Multiple natural disasters including floods, Ice storms, and tornados. Additionally, Richard has led multiple major search efforts and managed major crime scenes, Officer involved shooting scenes, critical incident management scenes as well as event and special celebrity event management. Feeling a deep desire to ensure our men and women wearing the badge receive not only the tools required for carrying out their job effectively but the resources to do so Richard has spent over twenty-five years instructing and upon retiring from active enforcement has taken on the role of Criminal Justice Liaison within the behavioral health industry. This role has allowed him to introduce the behavioral health industry to the mind of the Law Enforcement Officer and how we work, feel, and derive motivation. While simultaneously ensuring that the resources necessary for ensuring Officer wellness and resiliency are afforded to every officer and first responder.