Choosing Life

Choosing Life

A Law Enforcement Officer's Guide to Hope, Healing, and Survival

By Andrew Cooley

Every year, law enforcement officers die by suicide at rates that rival-or exceed-line-of-duty deaths. Too often, the signs are missed. Too often, the struggle is hidden. Too often, help comes too late.

Choosing Life tells the story many officers live but few talk about.

Through a gripping, realistic narrative following an officer grappling with PTSD after the suicide of a fellow cop, Andrew Cooley pulls back the curtain on the emotional toll of the job-the calls that don't fade, the guilt that lingers, and the silence that can become deadly. Interwoven with the story are practical, no-nonsense strategies for recognizing hidden trauma, supporting struggling officers, and building a culture where asking for help is not weakness, but survival.

This book is written for:

• Law enforcement officers carrying the weight of the job
• Supervisors and leaders responsible for their people
• Families who love someone behind the badge
• Anyone searching for hope after loss

More than a story, Choosing Life is a lifeline. It offers real-world guidance, peer-tested strategies, and trusted crisis resources for those facing PTSD, depression, or suicidal thoughts-by themselves or someone they care about.

If you're struggling, you're not alone.

If you've lost someone, this book honors them.

If you're still standing, this book is a reminder: help exists, and choosing life is possible.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, immediate help is available. Call or text 988, contact COPLINE or reach out to local emergency services.