I Was a Cop… Until This Happened

Kevin Donaldson, a retired New Jersey police officer, opens up about his traumatic upbringing, what drew him to law enforcement, and the career-defining call that ultimately broke him after responding to a domestic shooting incident — a moment that changed his life and led to his retirement in 2014. Kevin shares raw stories from the job that taught him about danger, mental strain, and resilience while battling post-traumatic stress, and he reveals how he turned his pain into purpose by becoming a mental health advocate, author, and motivational speaker dedicated to destigmatizing trauma and helping others find strength through struggle.

#TrueCrime #LawEnforcement #PoliceStories #RealStories #JusticeSystem #BehindTheBadge #YouTubePodcast #crimedocumentary

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Connect with Kevin Doladson:
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Website: https://www.realkevindonaldson.com/

Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
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Timestamps:
00:00 Policing Reality Check & Life on the Job
03:00 Kevin Donaldson’s Background & Why He Became a Cop
10:00 Growing Up in South Jersey & Early Struggles
16:00 Childhood Trauma, Turbulent Home Life & Lasting Impact
23:00 Breaking Family Ties & Destructive Coping Mechanisms
29:00 At a Crossroads: Trouble, College & Reinventing Himself
40:00 Early Adulthood: Teaching, Uncertainty & Searching for Purpose
47:00 Finding Structure and Identity Through Policing
53:00 Experiencing 9/11 as a Police Officer
56:00 Police Work Explained: The Good, the Bad & the Surreal
01:02:00 The Emotional Toll of Policing & Suppressed Trauma
01:09:00 The Officer-Involved Shooting That Changed Everything
01:17:00 Panic Attacks, Mental Health Collapse & Burnout
01:24:00 Losing His Identity & Hitting Rock Bottom
01:31:00 Therapy, Group Support & the Long Road to Healing
01:38:00 Life After Policing: Finding Purpose in Helping Others
01:45:00 Losing a Friend, Regret & Hard-Learned Lessons
01:55:00 Rebuilding Life & Transforming Trauma Into Growth
02:02:00 Healing, Justice Reform & Advocacy Work
02:12:00 Hope, Reflection & Final Takeaways