This week on 8158: Stories of Sacrifice, Rico sits down with former law enforcement commander and founder of the nonprofit Shepherd’s Light Foundation, Shepherd’s Light Foundation, Dewayne Brown.

Dewayne opens up about growing up without his parents, finding purpose through firefighting and law enforcement, and eventually rising through the ranks as a K9 officer, undercover narcotics agent, SWAT team member, and commander of a multi-county drug task force in Georgia.

But behind the badge and adrenaline was a man silently carrying trauma.

After an officer-involved shooting changed everything, Dewayne found himself battling depression, isolation, alcoholism, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. In one of the rawest moments ever shared on the podcast, he talks about the night he planned to end his life… and the unexpected message that stopped him.

What followed was a powerful journey of faith, healing, and purpose that led him to create Shepherd’s Light Foundation — a nonprofit providing free, faith-based healing retreats for first responders and veterans struggling with PTS and suicidal ideation.

This episode is about trauma, resilience, identity, faith, and the reminder that even in the darkest moments… there is still light.

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