Spouse: Officer Craig Arnold
Profession: Senior Services Manager- Risk Management at Gallagher Basset
Family: Mother of 2 and Bonus Mother of 2
Advice for other LEOW: Accept their fluid schedules, but still establish structure and routines into your daily lives (even if they do get turned upside down multiple times a month...or week). As a spouse of a LEO, it's typical for us to figure out how to manage everything on our own. It's important for your officer to understand your needs and expectations for them when they are at home/not at work. Find what works, or doesn't work, for your family and communicate with each other openly while you're figuring it out.
Spouse: Officer Josh Miller
Profession: 4th Grade Teacher
Family: Mother of 2
Advice for other LEOW: Be a safe place for your spouse. Our officers deal with things that are unimaginable to most of us and many of them will hold so much of that inside. Even when I am told stories of calls that make my skin crawl or break my heart, I try my best to stay calm and just listen. Hearing a little bit about how the shift went allows me a small glimpse into his day and gives my husband a chance to get that weight off of his shoulders. Remembering that not every story needs advice or a solution but simply just a supportive ear makes all the difference. This, of course, is great advice for them as well! They can also just listen sometimes. We all know that our LEOs love to talk about work with one another but if they aren't comfortable opening up to you, have them reach out to the chaplain or a therapist.
Spouse: Officer Jordan Rapacz
Profession: Business Operations Manager for TotalMed
Family: Mother of 2
Advice for other LEOW:
Never read the online comment sections on Facebook or Instagram of anything having to do with police. People are harsh. Stay in your little bubble and focus on supporting your spouse.
Spouse: Sergent David Cox
Profession: Professional Home Organizer
Family: Mother of 2
Advice for other LEOW:
Visit your officer on duty as much as you can. Whether it's a lunch/dinner, working a detail at a festival, or doing a ride-along. Seeing them in their work mode gives you a new perspective and helps you appreciate the job in a way you never see otherwise.
Spouse: Officer Ryan Nelis
Profession: Vice President at Hohner
Family: Mother of 1
Advice for other LEOW:
Always reach out. I can't stress that enough. When I first came into the EPD family, I didn't know a single spouse. Over the years, I have developed friendships with these amazing women who have been my support, my sanity, my reassurance, and my listener, and hopefully I have been that in return. It makes all the different to talk to or vent to someone who truly understands.
Spouse: Zack Young (aka Birdman)
Profession: Licensed Mental Health Therapist
Family: We have a yellow lab named Duncan.
Advice for other LEOW:
Love languages! There are 5 categories of how people give and receive love, acts of service, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, and touch. Know what makes the other person feel loved and do it! I am big on quality time. We work opposite schedules and have limited time together each week so I like to make the most of it. It helps to understand what is important to the other person and how they show love as well so no effort goes unnoticed. If you want to more about love languages, let me know!
