Shawn is the founder of 1st Responder Conferences and a retired deputy from the King County Sheriff's Office in Seattle, WA. Shawn retired in 2022 after 25 years of service as a Wellness and Resiliency Detective and a therapy K9 handler. During her career, Shawn worked patrol, as an undercover detective, a detective in the warrant unit, transit patrol and as an explosive K9 handler. She was also on the peer support team for 16 years and was a team leader for several years

At their conferences, they are dedicated to promoting awareness surrounding the difficulties of the profession and inspiring conversations that minimize the stigma associated with the layered stressors our first responders experience. They provide education, mental health tools, and resources for agencies, first responders, and their families. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for all who dedicate themselves to protecting and serving others.

Follow them on Instagram at @1st_responder_conferences or visit their website here to see a calendar of their events.

If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays.

A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode.

TactiScan is a portable drug screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite with no officer exposure. TactiScan is a reusable pocket-sized narcotics screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite that connects by bluetooth and limits officer exposure to potentially dangerous substances. Learn more at tactiscan.com.

On April 10, 2012, United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne was critically injured on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan by an IED (improvised explosive device) while on patrol, losing portions of both legs and both arms. He is one of only five quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries. Travis describes himself as a recalibrated warrior and he’s also a motivational speaker, actor, author and an advocate for veterans and amputees. Travis is also the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, Tough as They Come, and his new book Bounce Back: 12 Warrior Principles to Reclaim and Recalibrate Your Life.

In September 2013, Travis and his wife Kelsey founded the Travis Mills Foundation, a nonprofit organization, formed to benefit and assist post 9/11 veterans who have been injured in active duty or as a result of their service to our nation. The veteran and their families receive an all-inclusive, all-expenses paid, barrier-free vacation to Maine where they participate in adaptive activities, bond with other veteran families, and enjoy much-needed rest and relaxation in Maine’s great outdoors.

You can follow Travis on Instagram @ssgtravismills

If you’re looking for a little extra joy in your life, sign up for Tactical Tuesdays, a FREE weekly email where we bring you a few tactics, tips and strategies to help you succeed in the week ahead. It may be about a book I want to share, gear I’ve found useful, an inspiring quote, or anything else I think you’d like. To sign up for the Tactical Tuesdays email list, you can visit thesquadroom.net/tacticaltuesdays.

A special thanks to our sponsors for today’s episode.

TactiScan is a portable drug screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite with no officer exposure. TactiScan is a reusable pocket-sized narcotics screening device designed to detect illicit narcotics onsite that connects by bluetooth and limits officer exposure to potentially dangerous substances. Learn more at tactiscan.com.

If you’re looking for challenge coins for your agency or specialty unit, check them out at SignatureCoins.com. You can create a coin in as little as 24 hours and they offer free graphic design, free next day shipping in the US, and industry-leading turnaround times. That’s signaturecoins.com