Accepting the aftermath, for most of us, means coming home from work a little more tired than yesterday.
For many first responders, however, accepting the aftermath of their day comes with memories or tragedy, smelling of blood, and dreaming of death.
Some remember certain calls like it was just yesterday.
Fourteen years ago, former Yuma police officer Gregory Fell made a choice, a choice that he has not forgotten to this day.
“All of the times I’ve drawn my weapon never shot it, but I’ve drawn it like a zillion times. This night, I’m just going, this isn’t good, I don’t even see Mr. Nunez draw, all the sudden he’s just shooting, and then I just reacted to the shooting, and still to this day, I remember my shell in slow motion, like those war pictures, I remember one of my shell casings going out of the gun,” said Fell.
Over time, this reality of trauma can place a heavy toll on the mental and physical health of first responders.