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Officers showed up in support at every district, saluting Swiderski in gratitude for his commitment to the cause.
erski learned some unsettling statistics: 48,000 people took their own lives in 2018. Even worse, 29 times that number — 1.4 million — attempted suicide.
“We all know people who have taken their own life,” Swider- ski shared. “But do you know 29 times that amount of people? Probably not.”
Then Swiderski learned that on average, law enforcement of- ficers experience 188 traumatic events in their career. He decid- ed that these statistics warn of the ongoing threat of dangerous outcomes.
“It continues to just boggle my mind,” Swiderski explained, fighting back tears when he considered those numbers. “I was like, I can’t just idly sit by when I know I can do something.”
You could see how emotional it was for Swiderski, crossing a finish line made of crime scene tape at each district. Chicago Lodge 7 had a shirt specially made for him to wear during parts of the run, and he certainly did the FOP proud.
Over and over again, Swiderski shared his story with officers throughout the districts. His intention was to use his personal experience to show them empathy and support, but he left feel- ing as though he received so much more than he gave — a new sense of who they are beyond the badge.
“I walked away feeling so connected to all of these officers,” Swiderski confessed. “My whole perception of the officers has been transformed, where I so much see their humanity now. Their compassion, their desire to be loved and appreciated as a human being.”
The officers who saluted him as he arrived and made big, blue thank-you signs to show their gratitude felt just as connected to Swiderski. At 8 a.m. on June 20, the 19th District welcomed him during the last stretch of his run, admiring not only his physical ability, but also his passion for the cause.
“Even the toughest cop was out there choking up,” said Tim Fitzpatrick, a Lodge 7 executive board member who works in the 19th District. “Everybody made it a point to be out there for this guy. I can’t imagine how tired he must’ve been, but that guy’s got more energy than 10 of us. It gives you hope.”
Swiderski completed Running for Blue Lives at the 1st District at noon, with a fundraising total of $15,000. The run was over, but his mind was still racing. Now, more than ever, he feels em- powered to continue helping law enforcement officers.
“This is not the end,” Swiderski declared. “I am so much more inspired to help these officers end this stigma. For the officers who need the help to get the help. My brain is continually mov- ing in a place of, What else can I do?”
For Swiderski, it’s not enough to raise awareness about the support and resources Chicago Police Officers need to main- tain their mental health and wellness. He needs to rally others to lend their hand as well. His concern is that some people may not have positive coping mechanisms and may resort to re- pressing their issues or using other negative means to forget the trauma. He says it’s up to everyone to look out for one another.
“We have to be each other’s keepers,” Swiderski offered. “We have to know that [officers] are human beings, and that when [humans] go through something, we need to be there for one another.”
During his 80-mile journey, Swiderski repeatedly asked offi- cers how they work through some of what they see on the job.
“[They] would tell me that they have a place they go,” Swid- erski remembered. “Either spend time with their family, or they have a cottage somewhere where they can go through what they deal with. But we know that not everyone does.”
And for those who don’t have a positive means of working through traumatic experiences, he wants to help create that safe space. After Running for Blue Lives, he has no plans to rest until his mission is complete.
“There’s too much riding on this,” Swiderski announced. “I knew it before this, but [especially] after this, that these were people who, just as they care for what they do and the people they serve, they needed that same care and concern in return.”
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