Podcast Summary: Law Enforcement Talk: True Crime and Trauma Stories
Episode: PTSD for Police After a Hurricane
Release Date: July 27, 2025
Host: John "Jay" Wiley
Guest: Joseph Patrick Fair, Retired Police Officer and Firefighter

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Law Enforcement Talk: True Crime and Trauma Stories, host John "Jay" Wiley welcomes Joseph Patrick Fair, a retired police officer and firefighter from Michigan. Joseph shares his harrowing experiences responding to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, which led to the development of PTSD and an addiction to adrenaline. Through his candid conversation, Joseph offers deep insights into the challenges faced by law enforcement officers dealing with trauma and the journey toward resilience and healing.

Resilience and Overcoming Trauma

The discussion begins with a focus on resilience. John defines resilience as "getting out when you hit rock bottom and just find a way to lift yourself up and go, keep on going in spite of all the bad stuff that happened" (03:26). Joseph echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of accepting loss, grieving, and deciding to engage in constructive activities:
"The ability to accept some loss, grieve it, and then decide to get up the next morning and focus your mind on doing something constructive." (03:26)

Experiences During Hurricane Katrina

Joseph recounts his time during Hurricane Katrina, highlighting the intense and traumatic conditions he faced:
"We worked 12-hour shifts, so I eat something, I would lay in a cot and get back up and go out to something else. By the time I got done down there, I just felt like I was carrying a lot on my back, just exhausted and couldn't think clearly and was super relieved to get out." (06:05)

He explains how the constant stress and witnessing devastation led to the onset of PTSD:
"Occasionally I would be trying to sit down to do something, maybe even responding to a call or something, and my mind would wind back to the water being high and the boats and people being out of food." (06:57)

Development and Impact of PTSD

Joseph details his struggle with PTSD, describing intrusive memories and the difficulty of staying present:
"It's like it was running on a tape in the back of my head, and I had to pull myself into the moment." (06:57)

He shares his experience of seeking help and the importance of accountability:
"I have to hold myself accountable for my behavior, and I have to live a good, clean life." (07:43)

Coping Mechanisms: Spirituality, Diet, and Exercise

Both John and Joseph discuss various coping strategies that have aided their recovery. Joseph acknowledges the role of spirituality:
"I was born into an Irish Catholic family. I've got a guilt side of that, but I have found the spiritual connection and the grounding thing and the forgiveness side of spirituality, and it's helped me stay grounded." (08:03)

They also emphasize the importance of diet and exercise in stabilizing mood and energy levels. John shares his success with eliminating sugars and carbohydrates:
"When I eliminated the starchy carbs, the sugars from my diet, my mood stabilized, my energy Level stabilized, I slept better at night." (27:41)

Joseph concurs, noting how dietary changes have helped him manage his PTSD symptoms:
"My wife talked me into eating a lot of salad. And that can actually mitigate that if I just eat protein and salad and I have no carbs." (27:09)

Addiction to Adrenaline

A significant portion of the conversation delves into adrenaline addiction. John shares his realization of being addicted to adrenaline and how its absence led to depression:
"When I didn't have that constant rush of adrenaline, what wound up happening was depression." (22:22)

Joseph relates by describing his own addiction to adrenaline post-Katrina, leading him to return to work prematurely:
"I got back into work to get the adrenaline, but I wasn't thoroughly healed, and my health kept having reoccurring problems." (24:30)

Writing as Therapy

Joseph discusses how writing became a therapeutic tool for him, aiding in processing trauma:
"Writing it out and then rereading it creates a little bit of abstraction that takes place where you're kind of reading for third person. It did actually help me process it." (37:50)

He explains the evolution of his writing career, leading to multiple published works:
"The first two books were warmups, and the third book really clicked with the help of a writing coach." (40:17)

Building a New Life Post-Trauma

The conversation shifts to building a new life after trauma. Joseph emphasizes the importance of seeking professional help and viewing therapy as akin to going to the gym:
"If your mood's not where it's at, you ought to get to a counselor and you ought to talk through. The upside is you'll feel better, look better, and your life will get better." (37:50)

John adds that accepting personal change is crucial for recovery:
"I had to learn to accept that I changed. I'm not the same guy as I was when I was 18." (35:03)

Maintaining Relationships During PTSD

Both speakers touch upon the strain that PTSD can place on personal relationships. Joseph shares his experiences of a "weak and occasionally stormy" relationship during his most troubled times and the importance of a supportive partner:
"She knows all the things sometimes I forget. And she's very supportive without giving me the excuse and alibi that I'm allowed to self-destruct." (30:52)

Conclusion and Resources

As the episode concludes, both John and Joseph reflect on their journeys and the importance of community support. Joseph encourages listeners to seek help and share their stories:
"If you're having a bad day, find some activity, keep yourself busy, and talk to somebody." (35:03)

Listeners are directed to Joseph's website, josephpatrickfair.com, for more information and resources on his books and experiences.

Key Takeaways

• Resilience is essential for overcoming trauma, involving acceptance, grieving, and constructive action.
• PTSD can result from intense and prolonged exposure to traumatic events, as experienced by Joseph during Hurricane Katrina.
• Coping strategies such as spirituality, diet, exercise, and writing can significantly aid in managing PTSD symptoms.
• Adrenaline addiction can lead to compulsive behaviors that exacerbate mental health issues.
• Professional help and a supportive community are crucial for healing and building a new life post-trauma.
• Maintaining personal relationships requires understanding, patience, and support during recovery from PTSD.

Notable Quotes

• John Wiley:
  "Resilience means getting out when you hit rock bottom and just find a way to lift yourself up and go, keep on going in spite of all the bad stuff that happened." (03:26)

• Joseph Fair:
  "I believe PTSD does kind of break you, but I think you can rebuild yourself stronger afterwards if you do some introspection and spiritual work." (04:47)

• John Wiley:
  "My mind is like a bad neighborhood. It's best not to go there by myself." (35:57)

• Joseph Fair:
  "Going to a counselor and talk through is like going to the gym and lifting weights. You're going to feel better, look better, and your life will get better." (37:50)

For more stories and insights on law enforcement and trauma, visit letradio.com and follow Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show on social media platforms.