Byron Greenberg: October 16, 2026

I am often asked why I talk about the importance of peer support for law enforcement in particular, but, but for all first responders, uh, firefighters, uh, EMS personnel.

And for me, it's very personal.

It's very, very personal.

When I was a cop a thousand years ago in a galaxy far, far away, my field training officer shot himself.

And he survived.

Thank God he survived.

But rather than get him help, which is exactly what he needed, he was arrested, he was prosecuted, he was, uh, stripped of his ability to ever serve in a law enforcement capacity again.

If there had been somebody who had come along before his gigantic cry for help and was simply aware that this guy was going through some stuff and had the training as a peer supporter, I got news for you.

I don't think he would have shot himself.

In fact, I think he would have gone on to retire, uh, with a bunch of stars on his, uh, shoulders or epaulets.

But anyway, that throughout, uh, Virginia as the cop doc, a great guy, and I'm so happy that he's made some time for us this afternoon.

Doc, thank you for being here.

It's my great pleasure, Jeff.

Um, greatly appreciate you.

And, uh, before you start with the, uh, questions, I just want to say, uh, uh, to your audience, um, a big thank you to you for being such a staunch supporter of law enforcement and first responders.

And, uh, I think, um, I think that the reason why you can do that so honestly and transparently is because you've been one, because you've been there.

And, uh, that is the very hallmark of, uh, of peer support.

So I appreciate you for that.

Well, you are, uh, you are, you are very kind, and I want you to provide a- an explanation because, because I, I, you know, I'm just sort of spitballing here.

I know what it is, I think.

[laughs]

You know, you come beside somebody, "Hey, I think I got you, man.

I know what you've been through.

I got your s- " But, but, but for somebody maybe who's not in the first responder world, explain to them what peer support is and, and, and bigger picture, why it is so vital.

I am often asked why I talk about the importance of peer support for law enforcement in particular, but, but for all first responders, uh, firefighters, uh, EMS personnel.

And for me, it's very personal.

It's very, very personal.

When I was a cop a thousand years ago in a galaxy far, far away, my field training officer shot himself.

And he survived.

Thank God he survived.

But rather than get him help, which is exactly what he needed, he was arrested, he was prosecuted, he was, uh, stripped of his ability to ever serve in a law enforcement capacity again.

If there had been somebody who had come along before his gigantic cry for help and was simply aware that this guy was going through some stuff and had the training as a peer supporter, I got news for you.

I don't think he would have shot himself.

In fact, I think he would have gone on to retire, uh, with a bunch of stars on his, uh, shoulders or epaulets.

But anyway, that throughout, uh, Virginia as the cop doc, a great guy, and I'm so happy that he's made some time for us this afternoon.

Doc, thank you for being here.

It's my great pleasure, Jeff.

Um, greatly appreciate you.

And, uh, before you start with the, uh, questions, I just want to say, uh, uh, to your audience, um, a big thank you to you for being such a staunch supporter of law enforcement and first responders.

And, uh, I think, um, I think that the reason why you can do that so honestly and transparently is because you've been one, because you've been there.

And, uh, that is the very hallmark of, uh, of peer support.

So I appreciate you for that.

Well, you are, uh, you are, you are very kind, and I want you to provide a- an explanation because, because I, I, you know, I'm just sort of spitballing here.

I know what it is, I think.

[laughs]

You know, you come beside somebody, "Hey, I think I got you, man.

I know what you've been through.

I got your s- " But, but, but for somebody maybe who's not in the first responder world, explain to them what peer support is and, and, and bigger picture, why it is so vital.