Tonight I sat down with Tom Lee, a Texas sheriff’s sergeant and former mental health unit lead with over 23 years on the job. Tom shared how cumulative trauma—not just one critical incident—nearly broke him, even after surviving being shot in the face with a crossbow during a 2019 welfare check.We talked through the realities of policing in rural Texas with thin backup, the split-second decisions that come with life-or-death calls, and why the real weight of the job often comes from bureaucracy and moral injury as much as it does from scenes themselves. Tom opened up about recovery, faith, and the importance of actually asking for help before alcohol and isolation take over. He also detailed his work in mental health diversion, critical incident stress management, and why follow-up care with both citizens and first responders can change outcomes.We also previewed his forthcoming memoir, Scars of the Badge, which captures 50 snapshots from his career—from child deaths and mass-casualty responses to the crossbow shooting—and how faith steadied him through the darkest stretches. If you’re a first responder, know one, or just want an honest look at the cost of the badge, this conversation is for you. And if you’re struggling or someone you love is, please reach out—help is there, and you’re not alone.Guest: Tom Leehttps://www.scarsofthebadge.com/ Watch and Followhttps://Rumble.com/JoeRoozhttps://YouTube.com/@JoeRooz Watch and Followhttps://Rumble.com/JoeRoozhttps://YouTube.com/@JoeRoozFOLLOW US ON:X: https://x.com/joeroozFacebook: https://facebook.com/joeroozshowMinds: https://minds.com/joeroozGETTR: https://gettr.com/joeroozSpecial thanks to:Executive Producer Wayne RankinExecutive Producer Rosanna RankinExecutive Producer Carolina JimenezExecutive Producer Marisa LeeExecutive Producer Angela WetuskiWant to be a guest on The Joe Rooz Show? Send Joe a message on #PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/member/joeSponsored by:Podhome.fmCreative EdgeDiamond Dynasty Tax Group LegacyMusic: https://youtube.com/@pogo️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5724294587940864(00:00:45) Opening monologue, date, and a rough day at the studio(00:02:38) Introducing guest Sgt. Tom Lee and his crossbow incident(00:03:22) Housekeeping, how to contact and follow the show live(00:07:41) Guest intro redux and service gratitude(00:09:18) Warm‑up chat: quirks, pickles, and simple pleasures(00:14:36) From engineering student to policing after 9/11(00:17:02) Department politics, morale, and a firing over speed(00:20:09) What really wears cops down: bureaucracy vs. the calls(00:21:08) Path to mental health policing and co‑response model(00:23:20) Measuring impact and success stories from the field(00:24:11) Critical Incident Stress Management and mass‑casualty responses(00:26:17) Three hardest calls: murder, fatal house fire, crossb