After 37 years in law enforcement — from EMT and rescue diver to detective and eventually Chief of Police — Nick Schilz has seen the best and worst of humanity. In this conversation, he opens up about the unseen cost of wearing the badge, the emotional and spiritual toll of protecting the public, and the constant tension between duty and the need to preserve mental health.

Nick shares what it takes to protect both your community and your family, the reality of trauma in first responder life, and how faith anchored him through the darkest seasons of his career. This is a story of endurance, integrity, and redemption — and what it actually means to serve with courage when the weight becomes unbearable.

Nick Schilz is a retired law enforcement officer with nearly four decades of service across multiple roles — EMT, rescue diver, patrol officer, detective, and Chief of Police. His career has spanned major investigations, life-saving operations, administrative leadership, and heartbreaking scenes that left lasting marks.

Beyond the badge, Nick is a husband, father, man of faith, and advocate for the mental and emotional wellbeing of police officers and first responders. His story is shaped by service, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to helping others navigate the burdens that come with the job.

• 37 years across EMT, rescue diving, patrol, detective work, and command

• The unseen emotional cost of wearing the badge

• Trauma, compartmentalization, and long-term mental health

• Balancing public service with family life

• Integrity, leadership, and the burden of decision-making

• How faith sustains first responders

• The real fight to protect mental health in policing

• When service becomes identity — and what happens after retirement

• Community, redemption, and rebuilding after dark seasons

• Discipline & Mastery

• Faith & Formation

• Family, Fatherhood & Legacy

• Redemption & Integration

• Responsibility & Becoming

• Story & Identity

• Suffering & Meaning