MISSOULA – Law enforcement officers involved in a shooting spree earlier this month have received support through a debriefing program following the traumatic incident.
The shooting killed one man and injured three others — including Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Wade Palmer, who remains in a Salt Lake City hospital in critical condition.
RELATED: Wife of wounded Montana trooper gives update on his condition
The patrol reports that a few days after the shooting they held a critical incident debriefing, which is held for those involved in a traumatic incident to join together and talk about concerns and just get any weight off their chests.
The patrol said about 40 members of law enforcement attended the meeting. The patrol has troopers trained in peer support that have been made available to their colleagues.
“After a traumatic experience, our bodies are full of negative chemicals. The best ways to rid ourselves of these and feel better are water, exercise and rest,” said Patrol Capt. Chad Dever, who supervises the peer support program. “Negative behaviors such as alcohol consumption are counterproductive. The simple act of talking about experiences has proven to be very therapeutic. This is what debriefing peer support both emphasize.”
We received some great questions regarding how the Patrol has assisted Wade's co-workers and those on-scene that night,…
Posted by Montana Highway Patrol on Sunday, March 24, 2019
By Kent Luetzen – MTN News
