The Thin Blue Line Family. My Name is Meaghan O’Leary, and I am a PROUD daughter of a Retired Law Enforcement Officer and Niece of two Law Enforcement officers.

Since I was a little girl, I have witnessed the impact of what a law enforcement officer must go through every day. I know that person behind the badge they are part of my family and longtime friends. I have seen and gone through the restless nights of worry, wondering if my father or uncles will come home in one piece or at all. I have watched him jump in his cruiser with his rifle after he got a call that one of his brothers in blue had been shot. They put on a brave face, using police laughter, but they are worried about what will happen.

There are many times I did not know what happened during a shift. They would hide what they experienced to protect their loved ones from what they saw or had to do. I did not understand why we could not have bacon when my father was home. I found out the smell of bacon would trigger a bad memory, that it would wake him up from a sound sleep.

I was one of the lucky ones who grew up in a law enforcement family. I had my brother, cousins, and other law enforcement children for support because they were experiencing the same feelings as I was. But unfortunately, this is not always the case for other families.

Often people do not understand the men and women behind the badge. I have created this Heroes Wellness to help others understand.  I hope that no officer or their families feel alone.