On this episode of Warden’s Watch, we sit down again with Ohio’s Kevin Behr – this time joined by his wife, Kathy – to talk about survival, recovery, and the purpose they’ve found after Kevin was shot in the line of duty. Recorded at the International Game Warden Conference, this conversation goes beyond the incident itself and into what happens after – for officers, spouses, families, and anyone navigating a critical incident. A powerful update, an honest conversation, and a reminder that survival comes with responsibility – and that even in the worst moments, purpose can still be found.
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North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association
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Here’s what we discuss:
- Kathy’s spouse‑focused training on critical incidents – and why she created it
- “You don’t realize what you don’t have in place until it’s happening”
- Navigating power of attorney, medical decisions, and legal realities mid‑crisis
- Being Kevin’s voice while he was unconscious – medically and legally
- Why law enforcement statements on medication can be problematic in court
- The emotional toll on spouses and kids when an officer is critically injured
- Kevin seeing purpose in survival: “We did – they didn’t, so we have work to do.”
- Turning trauma into something meaningful, even when healing isn’t linear
- Stubbornness as a survival trait (and yes, it helped)
- Brain injury recovery, negativity, and recognizing the long road back
- Living with permanent change and reframing it positively
- “Any fool can get through this – I’m living proof.”
- The power of humor in trauma recovery
- Doctors who refuse to give up: “Nobody quits on my team. Not even you.”
- Finding a new purpose when the old one can’t exist anymore
- How Kevin’s experience now helps train officers, trauma teams, and agencies
- The ripple effect of sharing hard truths so others can prepare
- Sidebar conversations that matter more than the main stage
- Why laughing, crying, and telling the story all matter
- “Everybody’s the main character in their own story.”
- Surviving isn’t the end – it’s the beginning of responsibility
- Kevin and Kathy as resources for those walking similar paths
- Miracles along the way – and choosing to keep them moving forward
Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Warden’s Watch logo & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches
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