Praise God for the support fo rthis project. As a mother of a child who died as a result of PTSD, I want to personnally thank all who have contributed.

This project will save lives.

"Family isn't always blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs;the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what."

Thanks for speaking out. Several suffer in silence, waiting for someone to speak for them. Thank you.

If the stigma could be erased and it could be understood that PTSD and the toll that it takes on officers and their families IS "line of duty", lost officers could be honored like any others.
MW

Now comes the dawn.

You will have, now, an opportunity to share the experiences of those who know the pain. FAR MORE importantly, however, you are armed with the ANSWERS--the answers that need to be told and heard, even by those who don't want to hear them.

Your documentary will (I can feel it) take us from the tired, stilted "suicide prevention" thinking of the last 20 years and usher law enforcement into a 21st century of good health, living and survival for police officers. I have talked to you enough--you have the insight, you have the wisdom--and now you have the MEANS!

Be bold. Be bold.

Andy, Badge of Life

As an emergency physician and son of a retired Connecticut State Police Sergeant, I was personally and professionally moved by this documentary project. The emotional toll of law enforcement can affect the officer, family and friends, and often leads to isolation. Breaking this silence is a worthy cause and I wish this project success.

Thank you Debbie. You are in theposition my husband was seeing me suffer with PTSD. I did not realize until years later what my husband had gone through. The focus was always on me. I hope this will be a part of the movie as well. Thank go for you and my husband.
.

One and done. Next chapter- more warriors. So Flipping happy.

We back this project in the name of our son David Andrew Rillo. He took his life on October 18, 2009. He served the Randolph County, NC Sheriff's Dept. for over 12 years.
He was loved by his family and by all whom he served. David would want you to know that there is hope. Because he cannot speak for himself it is up to us to carry the message.
We have tried for over two years to get the message out that way too many leo's and first responders are fighting a battle with PTSD, a battle that many lose.
For those of you who serve your community we want you to know that help is on the way. We who are supporting this project will continue to carry the torch for our loved ones who have suffered or are suffering with PTSD.
Kathy and Jerry Rillo

Deborah: Congratulations. I didn't think it was going to happen. This is so great and I am so happy for you and the family of supporters who all came through for you. Let's get your story out there, it needs to be told. We have suffered enough. Bob Cubby

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S to Deborah and all the fine folks at Dangerous Curves Productions. And thank you to all who have done their part to helping them achieve their goal of $25,000.

This film will not only change thinking, it will open the door to the future of better mental health, longer lives and healthier careers for police officers in every corner of the world it visits!

Andy O'Hara
Badge of Life

WE ALL MADE IT HAPPEN!
Kirsti

There have been no words to describe to the world how PTSD affects a law enforcement officer. For the first time there will be a voice to explain the pain, the loneliness, the hurt. On so many levels this documentary will show the human side of police, I don't believe has been uncovered to such an extent. Thank you to those whose support has made us continue to live despite many challenges.
Constable Kirsti Haaka

Backing this project in the name of my awesome husband, Ofc. David Summers, Jr., who fights the fight every night. Our blood runs blue and we hope this money helps all officers who need assistance! LEO's Unite!

$929.00 to go.

This has been an incredible drive. Let's get this thing DONE, friends!!!!
Andy, Badge of Life

In memory of all those who died with heavy hearts.
I'm Just Like You
author unknown

I have been where you fear to be;
I have seen what you fear to see;
I have done what you fear to do;
All these things I have done for you.

I am the one you lean upon,
The one you cast your scorn upon,
The one you bring your troubles to,
All these things I have been for you.

The one you ask to stand apart,
The one you feel should have no heart,
The one you call the "man in blue";
But I am a person, just like you.

And through the years,
I have come to see
That I am not what you ask of me.
So take this badge, take this gun;
Will you take it? - Will anyone?

And when you watch a person die
And hear a battered baby cry,
Then do you think that you can be
All these things you ask of me?

$100 pledge was made by the neices and nephews of David Andrew Rillo, Randolph County, NC Sheriff's Dept.

We miss the way you would play with us and let us jump on your belly. You were a great uncle and loads of fun.

We hope you are having fun in heaven. We can't wait to see you again.

Love: Brandon, Joshua, Tyler, Courtney, Shaun, Christian, Destiney, and Ian Rillo

As we get down to these last days, let's everyone try to think of any organizations that might have an interest in this project, particularly those that work with or profit from their business with law enforcement. This is both good business and an investment in the future for them.

To all of you commenting and contributing, and to the courageous folks that are struggling to put this documentary together, my heartiest thanks and warm wishes!

--Andy, Badge of Life

If you want to do any filming on the West coast, I have a good friend who has documentary film experience and equipment. He may be able to help. Good luck with your project!

Our pledge is for those "silently" injured that continue to protect our streets and neighborhoods.
-Sue & Brian VandenBrink

I would like to honor a Brother Deputy Sheriff/Marine Veteran. My pledge is in memory of Sgt. Mack Reilly,who is now guarding the Gates Of Heaven,as of 10/18/10.
Mack was an exceptional Marine & a better Law Enforcement Officer. Mac had all the requirments: Courage:Strength:Bravery. May he rest in peace.
R.W. Hanks Sr.
Deputy Sheriff (RET)
(ps) Many thanks for this project, I only wish it had started 10 years earlier.

LEAVING
They tell me you are leaving,
Your papers in and signed;
You'll turn your back and walk away,
To leave it all behind.

But time will take you far- too far,
And you'll speak of where and when:
Memories fade and faces blur
As you turn from what has been.

Yet one day in your reverie,
A voice will whisper true,
You were the best you've ever been
When you wore a suit of blue.

Author was a retiring police captain,
who took his life by suicide.

Folks, it's not just about providing an environment where Officers feel safe in reporting that they're having problems.

Most probably believe that if an Officer does so, he will be cared for. That is unfortunately far from the truth.

When I reported I was having trouble, my City / Department sent me to a Doctor for evaluation. When that Doctor diagnosed me with PTSD and ordered me out of work, my own City / Department began fighting against having to provide any type of treatment or benefits.

In addition they tried to break me. They cut off my salary, cut off my healthcare, tried to convince my co-workers that I was somehow making all of this up and pressured those co-workers not to have any contact with me whatsoever.

When I could no longer pay my bills, my wonderful City cut off the water to my house and used that as an excuse to condemn my house and order me to vacate. I've long since lost the house to foreclosure.

It's been three and a half long years, and my City is still fighting and stalling the process every way they can. I still suffer from PTSD and I still suffer at the hands of the very City I used to protect; all because they don't want to have to provide any treatment or benefits.

This documentary needs to be made. People need to know the truth about how Police Officers with PTSD are not just ignored but attacked by the very municipalities they serve.

Respectfully,

Vito J. Vincelli

It's not just active Law Enforcement Officers who are affected, we must remember the retired officers as well. Rest in peace for our friend, L.D.

The dawn of a new age for Law Enforcement and all first responders is slowly beginning to take shape,Police Mental Health will be with us for the rest of this Century and beyond. The days of police leadership ignoring PTSD must come to a end, it is a matter of life and death.
Code 9- Officer Needs Assistance is a ground breaking documentary, told truthfully about what happens to our officers and why and what can be done.Debbie and Lisa thank you for your courage to say it the way it is.
My pledge is in memory to all those officers that struggled and died of PTSD and were buried without honor and simply forgotten. Ron Clark

A privilege that was recently given to me, was to view a documentary trailer entitled Code9- Officer Needs Assistance. It depicts the ravages of PTSD in police officers and the effects on their family. The director has now added an option of having your pledge made in the name of a fallen officer who fell to PTSD and suicide. You can access the website to view the trailer or make a contribution at: http://lnkd.in/fR_Pri I have made my contribution in the name of JOHN LOUGHNER as a memorial to an officer & friend who worked under my command.

Connect with Kickstarter
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Hello - I like the fact that you are offering items to those who pledge. I have just made a pledge but I would very much like it to be in memory of an Officer in my Department who lost the battle and took his life recently. There was no option for memorials , could you please fix that?

Wonderful film. Having suffered from PTSD, it brings tears to my eyes watching this wonderful work. The ending was the most powerful because that's where the problem lies in some cases- where do I turn for help? It seemsto me a victim of this, that all the help right now is going to the returning vets from Afghanistan and Iraq, and rightfully so. But that effort tends to make the suffering officer diminish, in his mind, the PTSD and the fact that he has it. "I didn't see combat. I didn't deploy to a war zone. Yet I feel the same sysmptoms they do. " Getting this film out to every law enforcement officer and their family members is a must to educating them about PTSD and getting the much needed treatment started. You can't get better if you don't know which way to turn or who to get help from. Let this film be the beacon lighting the way to recognizing and treating PTSD in law enforcement. Thank you so very much for this film.A law enforcement victim of PTSD.

I want to say how proud I am of every person who has contributed. This is a good and noble cause, and we are gonna make it and this film will get a valuable message out to the people who need it.

I appreciate your efforts and have worked on similar projects in the past. I wish I were in a position to be more helpful. This subject matter definitely needs more exposure and better understanding. I hope you'll include those law enforcement personnel who work in the detentions and prison systems. The issues are certainly there as well.

Fantastic, realistic and the police officers that I have shown this to, instantly relate to it. Thank-you for all that you do for this fine profession. Spread the word is right!

This is a wonderful opportunity to get a vital message out to those who need it (all police officers, actually). Even the smallest donations can help and, regardless, pass on this website information to others and give them a chance to help also.