Our Mission

Our Beginning

Responder Life was established in 2004 by a small group of police, fire, and 9-1-1 dispatcher families who had shared common concerns about their loved ones. We established the organization to create a better way to care for those who sacrifice so much to protect our cities, communities, neighborhoods, and families.

In twenty-five years as a member of the Portland Police Bureau, I observed courageous men and women provide selfless, dedicated service to our community every day. As my career progressed from a street officer to the Assistant Chief of Police, I witnessed the cumulative negative impact on many of my coworkers after years of responding to countless emergencies, traumatic incidences, and other human tragedies.

These experiences took a heavy toll on many of my colleagues and often led to alcoholism, drug abuse, divorce, suicide, and cynicism resulting in less effective policing in our communities. Assistance and support were almost nonexistent unless the officer’s work performance suffered or the department became aware of a major crisis in their personal life. Sadly, we were losing our police officers in the process of protecting our communities.

Today, Responder Life seeks to change this story. We work every day to strengthen first responders and their families to counteract the negative long-term effects of their careers.

– Dave Williams, Founder and Board Member