Police officers suffering PTSD slam treatment by employer
New Castle Herald
Lisa Allan
10 Oct 2016
Adam is one of four Hunter Region police officers suffering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who have spoken out about their treatment by the NSW Police Force and insurance agencies.
FOR former Hunter police officer Adam*, it is difficult to pinpoint where his troubles began. It was not a single job, or one bad shift, that pushed him over the edge and into the abyss of post-traumatic stress disorder.
What Adam does recall clearly from his 12 years of service in forensics, general duties and child protection is a lack of meaningful support when it was needed most.
“I was involved in three murders in six months and not one debrief,” he said. “He died straight in front of me, I tried to save him and I couldn’t,” he said. “Two weeks later, I was offered a debrief. All they do is tick the boxes.”
Adam’s illness has cost him. He lost his job and his partner. He left the force in 2013 and has been in and out of hospital as he fights the anger raging in his head. During that time, he has also been fighting another battle, with insurance agencies, in a bid to keep food on the table.
His wife left two years ago and he is raising two children alone on a $1200-a-fortnight workers’ compensation payment.
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Brother uses Twitter to save veteran, dog in Matthew flooding
KHOU
October 10, 2016
HOPE MILLS, NC - A worried brother and a man with a drone used the power of social media to save someone trapped in their house.
Craig Williams was worried about his brother, Chris, and contacted WFMY News 2 early Sunday morning. Chris Williams is a Navy veteran with a dog who cannot swim in Cumberland County. He was stuck in his house because of Hurricane Matthew flooding.
We called Cumberland County 911 and they said they were working on getting someone to help, but could not get there due to the flooding.
Little did Craig know, a man posting drone pictures on social media could help.
Searching through #HopeMills on Twitter, the city his brother lives in, he found a drone picture of homes almost completely flooded.
Trying to cheer up his brother he sends this picture and teases him that at least this isn't his house.
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Active Duty Marine Killed by Car While Lying on Freeway Identified
Grant Weidman, a 28-year-old Marine based in Camp Pendleton, was seen lying across the number one lane of westbound Interstate 8 in the College Area of San Diego at about 3:21 a.m. before he was killed, according to the Medical Examiner's office.
Marine fatally struck by car while lying on I-8
San Diego Union Tribune
Lyndsay Winkley
October 9, 2016
A Camp Pendleton Marine was hit by a car and died while lying the fast lane of Interstate 8 in San Diego early Sunday morning.
The 28-year-old was near College Avenue in the community of College Area when he was struck about 3:20 a.m.
The driver saw him but wasn’t able to stop in time, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office. She pulled over and called 911 after the crash.
The Marine died before he could be taken to a hospital. He was not identified.
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Marine Dies, Family Blames Burn Pit for Terminal Illness
FOX 40 Sacramento
BY SONSEEAHRAY TONSALL
OCTOBER 7, 2016
SACRAMENTO -- What Agent Orange was to Vietnam veterans, some say toxic exposure from burn pits is to those who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.
One local family has been told their Marine son will probably not survive the weekend and they believe it's because of a toxic war injury that's turned into a killer here at home.
"He's a hero. He's a fighter," Marty Robinson said of his stepson. "What he has done for this country ... he loved the Marines."
"It just made him feel like he had a purpose and that he was doing something really positive with his life," said mother Karen Robinson.
But the Robinsons, Ricky Wasco's parents, say that positive has turned into the negative that will take him from them, his highschool sweet heart wife and their three little girls.
After a failed bone marrow transplant, the 27-year-old corporal's organs are failing as he faces his last days with acute lymphocytic leukemia.
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Police: Man shot after pointing gun at officer
FOX SAN ANTONIO
BY ZACK HEDRICK
OCTOBER 8TH 2016
"They need to find a purpose. They need to find their passion again. Just like we had a mission while in uniform, they need to find that elsewhere.” Richard Delgado
Police: Man shot after pointing gun at officer (Photo: Sinclair Broadcast Group)
SAN ANTONIO -- Police say a man armed with a gun who was trying to commit suicide was shot by an officer at a North Side.
Police say the call came in some time before six Saturday morning from Ballerina Court, which is just off Wetmore Road.
"It was a call for a man attempting to commit suicide,” said Chief Williams McManus. “It was called in by his wife."
The 39-year old man, who officers say is a veteran, was in the backyard when police arrived.
“He was there with a gun to his head,” said McManus. “He put the gun down, picked it back up, and pointed it at the officers. The officer at that time felt compelled to fire in fear for his life."
The veteran was hit once in the arm but police say he is in good condition.
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