Our sincere thanks to those who provided thoughtful feedback on the first edition of Leadership Through Loss. Our intent in launching this publication was simple: to encourage public safety leaders to think in advance about some of the most difficult decisions they might ever face. No chief, chief officer, honor guard leader, or other key agency representative wants to imagine a line-of-duty death in his or her agency. Yet when such a tragedy occurs, the need for clear, compassionate, and principled leadership is immediate.

The hardest day is not the time to begin deciding what matters, who should be involved, how families should be cared for, or what expectations should guide the agency’s response. Those decisions deserve consideration before emotions are at their highest and time is at its shortest. Preparation does not lessen the tragedy, but it can help ensure that the response reflects honor, care, consistency, and respect for all who are affected.

Leadership Through Loss is offered as food for thought. It is not intended to tell any leader what he or she “must” do, nor do we presume that every agency will reach the same conclusions on every issue. Rather, our goal is to raise questions, share lessons learned, and encourage discussion before tragedy occurs. By considering these topics in advance, leaders can make informed decisions, develop or refine guidelines, and prepare their personnel to respond with purpose and clear direction when the need arises.

This publication is written for those who would carry significant responsibility following a line-of-duty death: public safety chiefs, command staff, chief officers, honor guard leaders, chaplains, and others who may be called upon to lead, advise, coordinate, or support. Some of the topics we address may seem obvious at first glance. Others might involve details that are easily overlooked until the moment arrives. In either case, the goal is the same: to help leaders be ready for the worst day they hope they never face.

As with the first issue, we welcome your feedback, questions, and even disagreement. Reasonable leaders might view certain topics differently, and feedback from those perspectives can help make future issues more useful and relevant. Our hope is that each issue of Leadership Through Loss will prompt meaningful thought, useful conversation, and better preparation across the agencies we serve, and even those we don’t.

Thank you for your leadership, your willingness to think ahead, and your commitment to honoring those who serve, especially when that leadership is needed most.

Eric Johnson
Executive Director
Supporting Heroes

Questions or feedback? Write us at LeadershipThroughLoss@SupportingHeroes.org

PREVIOUS ARTICLES

Introducing Leadership Through Loss — January 2026

Beyond the Front Row: Families, Grief, and Your Agency’s Response — January 2026

Honor Not Urgency: Setting the Tone for Line-of-Duty Escorts — January 2026