It reminds me of when my Dad died. I'm sure no words can explain the loss to other families. Doctors may point to a family history of heart trouble or that 201 cholesterol count when he last donated blood for another wounded officer. Maybe even that fast-food burger that let him eat while he worked. I know different.
Stress kills, and cops are fertile ground.
I remember the night shifts Dad worked so he could get his degree. He got four hours' sleep for three years, a jump in rank to sergeant, the additional stress of management and still had to work football games to make ends meet. I remember my astonishment and embarrassment when I called Dad to tell of my first raise at my first job after college. I then asked how my percentage compared to what he had or would get, only to find that he hadn't received a raise in the last five years. I remember the fear in my mother's eyes when TV news would use a lead story of a shooting when Dad wasn't home.