In a powerful and moving podcast interview, Daniel Torrez, a former military police officer and law enforcement professional, opens up about his personal journey through trauma, loss, and ultimately, healing. His story serves as a beacon of hope for those struggling with similar experiences, particularly in the military and first responder communities.
About Daniel Torrez:
Daniel Torrez is currently a Deputy Director with the National Center for Victims of Crime. Prior to this, while with the Department of Corrections, he helped establish the first Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) program in Arizona. The VOD program brings violent crime survivors face-to-face with the offender of their crime.
Daniel conducted several dialogues, experiencing firsthand the healing effect on all participants. Daniel served 21 years as a military police officer in the US Army and participated in humanitarian/disaster relief, United Nations Peacekeeping, and combat operations. He served as a patrol supervisor, victims advocate, SRT (SWAT) member, non-lethal weapons instructor, master trainer, and was a member of the 3rd US Infantry, The Old Guard.
Daniel has also served as a federal law enforcement officer and university director of public safety. He holds a master’s degree from Webster University, a bachelor’s degree, and certified public manager designation from Arizona State University.
He currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his lovely wife, Melissa, their cat Sadie, and their dog Ares (the Dog of War). Daniel’s story, along with 28 other authors, will be highlighted in the upcoming book, Wounds to Wisdom: Healing Through Veteran and First Responder Narratives, available in August.
📌 Discussion Topics:
✔️ A Life Shaped by Loss: Daniel's path to law enforcement began with a positive encounter that inspired his career choice. However, his journey was marked by early tragedy when his father passed away from cancer. This loss, left unprocessed, set the stage for a pattern of emotional suppression that would follow him for years.
✔️ The Weight of Unprocessed Trauma: As a young military police officer, Daniel faced numerous critical incidents that left deep emotional scars. From performing CPR on a deceased child to responding to various emergencies, he found himself constantly pushing down his feelings, unable to find appropriate support or outlets for his grief and stress.
✔️ Personal Tragedy and Professional Growth: Daniel's life took another devastating turn when his daughter became a victim of sexual abuse. This personal tragedy, however, led him to channel his pain into meaningful work. He became involved in victim services and established the Victim Offender Dialogue program in Arizona, facilitating healing conversations between offenders and survivors.
✔️ The Breaking Point and the Path to Healing: An unexpected job loss became the catalyst for Daniel's own healing journey. Feeling betrayed and spiraling emotionally, he finally reached out for professional help. This decision marked a turning point, leading him to attend healing retreats and embrace vulnerability as a strength rather than a weakness.
✔️ Sharing to Heal, Healing to Share: Today, Daniel is committed to sharing his story to help others. He emphasizes the power of connection, vulnerability, and seeking support. His contribution to the anthology "Wounds to Wisdom" is just one way he's working to break the stigma surrounding mental health in high-stress professions.
🔑 Key Takeaways for Your Own Healing Journey
1. Don't hesitate to seek professional help when dealing with trauma or mental health issues.
2. Prioritize self-care and self-discovery, even if it means letting go of long-held coping mechanisms.
3. Share your story - it can be a powerful tool for both personal healing and helping others.
4. Consider participating in support groups or retreats designed for those in high-stress professions.
5. Advocate for better mental health resources in your community and workplace.
Listen to Audio:
Watch Full Episode:
Resources:
Watch S.O.S Podcast playlist on Youtube
Daniel Torrez's journey reminds us that healing is possible, even from the deepest wounds. By embracing vulnerability and reaching out for support, we can transform our pain into wisdom and help create a more compassionate world for all.
