PTSD Patrol Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Suicide Broke The Silence

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
August 9, 2020

Todays feature video is about a firefighter who had PTSD but couldn't find what he needed to heal. He sent out a plea for others to find the help they needed before he ended his own life. 

The story of Indian River County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief David Dangerfield is one of losing hope at the same time holding onto hope that his death could make a difference for those he left behind. 

His life ended in 2016, but his legacy goes on as more and more understand that PTSD is not just what military people get....#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

The story of Indian River County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief David Dangerfield from TC Palm news

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Firefighters and paramedics are mourning the death of a man who worked alongside them for nearly three decades.

Indian River County Sheriff deputies went to a wooded area off State Road 60 west of Interstate 95 about 10:30 p.m. Saturday following a 911 call from Indian River County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief David Dangerfield, Sheriff's spokesman Lt. Eric Flowers said.

Dangerfield had driven his pickup to mile marker 13 about midway between I-95 and Yeehaw Junction, Flowers said. Dangerfield told dispatchers where he could be found, Flowers said. Deputies located the pickup and found Dangerfield a short distance away in the woods, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Sheriff's Office said.

Emergency Services Director John King sent an email late Saturday night to Dangerfield's co-workers about his death, Assistant Chief Brian Burkeen said.

"It is with great sadness I share with you the passing of Battalion Chief David Dangerfield this evening," King wrote in the email to his firefighters and paramedics. "Please keep Dave’s immediate and extended family in your thoughts and prayers."

World responded to dying wish of 11 year old boy

Miracles followed because 11 year old boy made a wish

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
May 15, 2020

Post from Wounded Times On 11/9/2008

Brenden Foster said he wants to be an angel so that he can help the homeless from Heaven. Get ready to cry for this sweet child when you watch this video. He's proof there are angels here on earth already. He's one of them.

LYNNWOOD, Wash. -- Doctors gave 11-year-old Brenden Foster two weeks to live.

Those two weeks were up on Wednesday. On Friday, he shared his last wish.

Not yet a teenager, Brenden's time to die has come.

"I should be gone in a week or so," he said.

Brenden was the kid who ran the fastest, climbed the highest and dreamed of becoming a marine photographer. Leukemia took away all those things, but not his dying wish to help others.

A comment was left on the post from a family friend saying that Brenden's family needed help with his burial.

This is how fast he inspired the world...posted on 11/15/2008

BOTHELL, Wash. -- The local boy whose dying wish to feed the homeless inspired thousands across the world has taken a turn for the worse.

Brenden Foster is growing weaker, but his message is growing stronger.

His body is failing, his skin yellowing. His mother is trying to decide on the wording for his grave marker.

"B-Man is his nickname, or Mr. B. But most people call him B-Man," said Wendy Foster.

The end is near, and Brenden has one question for God.

"Why at so young an age? I could have done more. But if it has to be now, it has to be now," he said.

On 11/21/2008, sadly I had to post the update that he passed away in his Mother's arms.

Then Brenden's last wish took on a life of its own.

A TV station in Los Angeles held a food drive. School kids in Ohio collected cans. People in Pensacola, Florida gathered goods.

And here in Western Washington, KOMO viewers from all over took part in the Stuff the Truck food drive in Brenden's honor. Hundreds with generous hearts donated six and a half huge truck loads of groceries and more than $60,000 in cash to benefit Northwest Harvest and Food Lifeline.

Brenden touched hearts all over the world. His wish came true, and he lived to see it.

"He had the joy of seeing all of the beautiful response to his last wish," said his grandmother, Patricia McMorrow. "It gives him great peace and he knows that his life has meaning."

"He's left a legacy and he's only 11," said his mother, Wendy Foster. "He's done more than most people dream of doing just by making a wish."

He opened the eyes of the world to care for the least among us. By November 28, 2008 his last wish raised over $95,000 in cash plus truck loads of food. But the miracles continued.

December 2, 2008, a Christmas party for hundreds of homeless kids was going to be canceled because Pastor Bruce Kaar had cancer...then he heard about Brenden and was inspired to do all he could to take care of the children.

Soon afterwards we received word that Bruce's tumor was shrinking.

On December 7, 2008, I had to post that Brenden was laid to rest, but the lives of others were changed and miracles happened because this little boy, had compassion for others and he moved the hearts of millions to do the same.