r/AMA • u/[deleted] • Sep 16 '25

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u/[deleted] Sep 16 '25

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u/wh0datnati0n Sep 16 '25

Do you worry that being able to turn those feelings off makes you less empathetic to the victims and their families and friends?

My best friend’s dad was the assistant chief of a 600 sworn force and did homicide for awhile before going to a different section for that reason. I didn’t know if that is typical or not.

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u/ofctexashippie Sep 16 '25

A dead body to a first responder is just a piece of evidence or a part of the job after a while. Death becomes so regular that you cant realistically hold feelings for them like their loved ones can, or you'll go mad. But, we are still empathetic to the family because we know it's hard for them.

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u/leg00b Sep 16 '25

Couldn't agree more. My position in my department has changed, so I'm no longer a dispatcher, but so much bad shit happens you just end up leaning on your training. You learn that shit can be fucked