The National Police Association Podcast with Guest, Deputy Chief Rusty Myers, Author of Tattered, When the Blue Line Frays

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the National Police Association Podcast, Rusty Myers shares the story behind his new book, Tattered: When the Blue Line Frays, which chronicles his experience of being terminated after an officer-involved arrest incident despite later being fully exonerated by South Carolina's Law Enforcement Training Council. Myers discusses how a routine foot pursuit and arrest evolved into a years-long investigation that left him on administrative leave, stripped of his career, and struggling with severe depression and suicidal thoughts. He candidly describes the phenomenon many officers know as "organizational betrayal", the devastating feeling that the institution you dedicated your life to no longer stands behind you. The conversation explores critical issues facing modern policing, including:The impact of organizational betrayal on officer wellness. PTSD and cumulative trauma in law enforcement. Why police suicide remains a crisis within the profession. Building a culture where officers can seek help without stigma. Myers also reflects on his years as a patrol officer, trainer, and commander in Charleston, including his work developing ethics training, active-shooter response programs, and community history education for recruits. He explains how those experiences shaped his leadership philosophy and ultimately prepared him to survive the darkest chapter of his career. Today, Myers serves as a deputy chief and remains committed to ensuring that no officer under his watch experiences the same institutional failures he endured. His message is simple but powerful: officers facing investigations, career setbacks, or mental health struggles are not alone. Connect with Rusty Myershttps://www.amazon.com/Tattered-When-Blue-Line-Frays/dp/B0GYJ6PCQ1/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-w-m-38564b29b/ https://www.facebook.com/RustyArthurMyers