Street Survival: How to enjoy your life while avoiding death by a thousand cuts
Insights from a police suicide survivor may help officers endure the inevitable “thousand cuts” experienced during a lifelong career in law enforcement
This article is part of a series by Lt. Dan Marcou. Click here to access all of Dan's street survival lessons.
In recognition of the release of “Street Survival II: Tactics for Deadly Encounters,” I am writing a series of articles on street survival designed to turn the tables on the current generation of cop-killing criminals. In this series I will share the tactics I acquired during a career dedicated not only to ensuring my own personal survival but assisting other officers in their quest to survive as well.
“Death by a thousand cuts” was how a fellow officer and friend of mine described the emotional injuries that led to his decision to put a gun to his head and pull the trigger. After suffering significant injuries, he remarkably survived and strengthened himself emotionally to eventually return to his beat and enjoy his life after his devastating suicide attempt.
I would like to share some of the insights I learned from this suicide survivor and others to help you all endure the inevitable “thousand cuts” you will experience during a lifelong career in law enforcement.
Here are 14 behaviors to consider that may help you not just emotionally survive, but thrive.