The Traumas of Police Work and Drowning Deaths, Special Episode. The badge doesn’t always protect the heart. Retired Seminole County Sheriff’s Sergeant Mark DiBona knows that truth all too well. After more than three decades in law enforcement, spanning from Braintree, Massachusetts to the heart of Florida, DiBona's battle wasn’t just with criminals, it was with the lasting traumas of police work, the devastating toll of a baby’s drowning death, and a fight for his own life. The episode is also promoted across their ...
The Traumas of Police Work and Drowning Deaths, Special Episode. The badge doesn’t always protect the heart. Retired Seminole County Sheriff’s Sergeant Mark DiBona knows that truth all too well. After more than three decades in law enforcement, spanning from Braintree, Massachusetts to the heart of Florida, DiBona's battle wasn’t just with criminals, it was with the lasting traumas of police work, the devastating toll of a baby’s drowning death, and a fight for his own life. The episode is also promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other platforms.
“I couldn’t save that baby,” Mark shared in this episode of The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast now streaming on for free on their website, in addition to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. “And that day nearly cost me my life too.” Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin .
The incident that nearly broke him happened in Seminole County, Florida, where DiBona had built a respected career within a sheriff’s office, with 1,400 employees and nearly $170 million budget. Seminole County, nestled in Central Florida and part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metro area, is no stranger to public safety challenges. But few hit as close to home as the tragic, preventable death of a young child. The Traumas of Police Work and Drowning Deaths.
Drowning: Florida’s Hidden Crisis
Florida tragically leads the nation in child drowning deaths. In 2023 alone, 97 children in the state lost their lives to drowning. Residential pools, bathtubs, and even buckets of standing water claim lives year-round, particularly during the spring and summer months. Lack of proper supervision, faulty or missing safety barriers, and elopement behaviors in children are just a few of the contributing factors. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms.
DiBona responded to one such scene: a baby in medical distress from drowning. Despite doing everything he could, the child couldn’t be saved.
“That was it for me,” he admitted. “I’d seen violence, accidents, suicides, but that baby…I still hear that day in my sleep.”
The Weight of the Badge, Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
The Traumas of Police Work and Drowning Deaths. Law enforcement officers are at a significantly higher risk of developing PTSD than the general population. Studies show between 7% and 19% of officers experience symptoms consistent with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The causes? The trauma is layered and relentless:
Regular exposure to gruesome scenes and high-stress situations.
Emotional and psychological burdens from the decisions they make.
Cumulative trauma over years without real recovery time.
Isolation and internal pressure to "stay strong" at all costs.
Mark DiBona was no exception. “I developed PTSD, depression, anxiety…and it showed” he revealed, pausing to reflect. “There were times I didn’t want to live anymore. I didn’t think I was worth saving.” You can listen to his stories and interview on our website for free in addition to platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and other major podcast platforms.
His Recovery and a New Mission
But he was saved, through faith, therapy, purpose, and community.
DiBona, now a nationally recognized speaker and advocate, travels the country as the “Rock Star of Mental Health,” speaking about suicide prevention, first responder wellness, and the traumas of police work. His voice is raw, honest, and hard-won. The Traumas of Police Work and Drowning Deaths.
“I want every cop, firefighter, EMT, dispatcher, any first responder, to know: You can come back from the edge. I’m proof,” he said. The full podcast episode is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
He co-founded Behind the Tin an initiative aimed at protecting those who protect others. His story, shared widely through podcasts, various news and radio outlets, and social media platforms like their LinkedIn and Instagram, is saving lives by shining a light on what he calls “the silent injuries” of the job.
“I always considered myself a cop’s cop,” DiBona said. “But I didn’t know I’d have to learn how to save myself too.”
Spreading the Word, Saving Lives
Mark believes the issue of PTSD in law enforcement isn’t just under-reported, it’s dangerously misunderstood. The macho culture, fear of judgment, and lack of institutional support often silence those who are suffering. The Traumas of Police Work and Drowning Deaths.
“We lose more cops to suicide than to gunfire. Where’s the outrage? Where’s the support?” he asked.
With his Christian faith as an anchor, Mark now views his darkest days as fuel for his purpose. He regularly appears in news features, podcasts, and mental health panels, using platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) to reach first responders in crisis. Listen to his full interview on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website for free, also on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or most major podcast platforms.
The Traumas of Police Work and Drowning Deaths. Through his advocacy and public speaking, he’s become a beacon for those walking the same dark path he once did. Whether on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or standing behind a podium in front of hundreds, his message remains consistent:
“There is help. There is healing. And you are not alone.”
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The Traumas of Police Work and Drowning Deaths.
Attributions
Safe Children Coalition
Wikipedia
LinkedIn
Behind The Tin
