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 Thank you to FACTOR & PRIZEPICKS for sponsoring this episode: FACTOR: Head to https://factormeals.com/lockedin50off and use code lockedin50off to get 50% off your first Factor box PLUS free breakfast for 1 year. Offer only valid for new Factor customers with code and qualifying auto-renewing subscription purchase. Make healthier eating easy with Factor. PRIZEPICKS: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/IA... and use code IANBICK and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Connect with Kevin Doladson: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realkevindo... Website: https://www.realkevindonaldson.com/ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?h... https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop 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