Law enforcement is a calling that demands everything from those who answer it. Officers dedicate their lives to serving communities, often at the cost of their personal time, energy, and even identity. But what happens when the badge becomes all-consuming? In a heartfelt conversation, two seasoned law enforcement professionals, Jamie and Danny King, share insights on officer wellness, the power of holding onto personal passions, and why staying human is key to thriving in this challenging profession.
The Human Side of Policing
Jamie, a former police officer and professional musician, brings a unique perspective. For him, music isn’t just a hobby—it’s a lifeline that kept him grounded throughout his career. “I started out eight years old playing cops and robbers and rock star drummer,” Jamie recalls. His dual passions for policing and music shaped his career and approach to life. Despite pressure to “pick a lane,” Jamie refused to let go of either. “I loved both of them so much,” he says, noting that being a musician made him a better cop by keeping him in touch with his humanity.
Danny King, a retired officer with 34 years of marriage and a military background, echoes the importance of balance. Growing up on welfare and serving in the Army during the drug war, Danny’s life was shaped by adversity. Law enforcement felt natural, but he’s clear about the toll it can take. “It’s exciting being a law enforcement officer,” he says, “but over time, it can creep more and more into your life.”
Music as Discipline and Connection
For Jamie, the discipline required to master music translated to policing. Just as he practiced to perform complex drum patterns while singing, he applied the same rigor to training officers. “You can’t just be good at something and perform it,” he explains. “You’ve got to reach a level of automaticity.” He encourages officers to build habits, like drawing a blue gun five times before a shift, to make critical skills second nature.
Music also connected Jamie to the people he served. Performing in his band, Phoenix, he interacted with communities outside the uniform, seeing them on their best days rather than their worst. This perspective shaped his policing, adding discretion and empathy to his work. “Being a musician and seeing those folks in another light… changed the way I handled those situations,” he says.
The Cost of Losing Yourself
The conversation turns to a sobering reality: many officers struggle to maintain their sense of self. Jamie shares an example from a training session where officers hesitated to admit they were musicians, fearing it didn’t “align” with law enforcement. “Nothing needs to align with law enforcement. We’re human beings,” he urges. He challenges officers to embrace their passions, whether music, sports, or something else.
The stakes are high. “Many officers retire and within a year, they die because their identity has died,” Jamie says. He believes policing is a calling, but warns against letting it smother other aspects of life. Danny, anchored by his family, agrees, emphasizing the need to nurture life outside the badge.
Giving Back Through Music
There are several police officers, high profile instructors, experts, and law-enforcement executives, (Scott Savage, from Savage Training Group, Scott Buhrmaster, CEO of Calibre Press, Police Captain, David O’leary, (several federal agents – who will remain unnamed) that are outstanding musicians, drummers, singers Guitarists, etc,) just to name a few, that give back through their music. Jamie’s music is also his way of giving back. His album Between Two Hats, recorded amidst his duties, supports the Wounded Blue, an organization helping officers facing hardship after critical incidents. His latest project, On the Other Side of Passion, features a cover of Simply Red’s “Holding Back the Years.” The ballad, complex to perform, mirrors the preparation officers need for high-pressure tasks. All proceeds go to the Wounded Blue, reinforcing Jamie’s commitment to officer wellness.
A Call to Stay Human
Jamie and Danny’s message is clear: don’t let the job define you. “Keep your wellness first,” Jamie says. “That’s the most important thing.” By embracing passions and prioritizing mental health, officers can thrive in the demanding world of law enforcement. Whether it’s music, family, or another anchor, holding onto what makes you human is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
For officers feeling buried in service, the path forward is simple: find your passion, nurture it, and let it remind you that you are more than your badge.
Music Video Only
For over 25 years, I’ve worn the badge of a law enforcement officer, educator, and expert in police practices, use-of-force, training, and policy. The weight of that badge is immense—not just for me, but for those have dedicated themselves to “serve.” It carries the oath to protect and serve and is one of the most selfless commitments a man or woman can make. As an educator in this field, it is the responsibility to guide officers across the nation, in the burden of navigating complex, high-stakes cases. Yet, alongside this calling, another passion has burned just as brightly in my heart: music. As a drummer, singer, and performer, Music has never been “just a hobby”—it’s been a lifeline, a way to balance the intensity of law enforcement and stay grounded in my humanity. Today, I’m sharing my story through a music project called Between Two Hats and its second recording endeavor, The Other Side of Passion, to raise funds for The Wounded Blue, a 501(c)(3) charity founded by Lt. Randy Sutton to support injured and disabled law enforcement officers.
A Life Between Two Hats
Law enforcement is more than a job; it’s a way of life, I think that’s a consensus, and for those who serve the public in the current climate are hero’s for taking the oath. The demands are unrelenting—long hours, high-stress situations, and the constant need to make split-second decisions that can change lives. As a retired officer who continues to serve as a national educator and expert in the realm of law enforcement, I’ve seen firsthand the toll this profession can take. But I’ve also learned that to thrive in this calling, you need something else to hold onto—something that reminds you who you are beyond the badge, and that humanity is a broad spectrum and that we must remain grounded in that humanity to make decisions in law-enforcement.
For me, that something is music. From the moment I first picked up a pair of drumsticks, I felt a spark that rivaled the adrenaline of a patrol shift. Singing, recording, and performing became more than a profession it became my outlet, a way to process the challenges of the job and reconnect with myself. These two passions—law enforcement and music—aren’t and have never been separate parts of my life; they’re intertwined, each strengthening the other. Music gives me the resilience to face the rigors of my work, while my experiences as an officer infuse my passion for music with raw emotion and authenticity.
This balance is what inspired Between Two Hats, a music project that reflects the duality of my life. The current recording project, The Other Side of Passion, is more than just a collection of songs—it’s a testament to the power of pursuing parallel passions. I’m thrilled to share a video of one of these songs, a piece of my heart poured into music that I love, as a way to connect with others who understand the struggle and beauty of living a multifaceted life dedicated to making the world a better place through effort and passion.
Supporting The Wounded Blue
The Other Side of Passion isn’t just about my personal journey—it’s a call to action for officer wellness and a way to give back to the law enforcement community through my passion for music. All proceeds from the project, that will be available for purchase on major streaming music platforms as soon as the project is complete, will go directly to “The Wounded Blue.” This incredible organization provides critical support to injured and disabled officers, helping them navigate the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that often follow a career-altering event. Founded by Lt. Randy Sutton, The Wounded Blue is a beacon of hope for those who have sacrificed so much in service to others, and I honored to be involved with Lt. Randy Sutton who has been a friend and colleague for over 25 years.
As someone who has dedicated decades to law enforcement, I know how vital it is to support our officers’ well-being. The demands of the job can leave scars, both visible and invisible. By channeling my musical efforts into this cause, I hope to raise awareness about the importance of officer wellness and provide tangible help to those who need it most.
Humanizing the Badge
In my role as a high-profile expert, on a national stage, I often deal with the technical and legal complexities of police work—use-of-force cases, training protocols, and policy development. It’s rigorous, demanding work that requires precision and focus. But I believe it’s equally important to show the human side of this profession. Officers are not just enforcers of the law; we’re people with dreams, passions, and stories.
By sharing the music I love and my story, I want to humanize the badge—not just for the public, but for my fellow brothers and sisters in Blue. I want them to know it’s okay to pursue other passions, in fact it is imperative to find joy outside the job, and to seek balance in a career that can feel all-consuming. Whether it’s music, art, sports, or any other outlet, these pursuits don’t detract from our commitment to serve—they enhance it. They make us better officers, better educators, and better people.
A Call to Action
As I release the video for one of the songs from the upcoming project “The Other Side of Passion,” I invite you to join me in this mission. Listen to the music, share the video, and spread the word about Between Two Hats and “The Wounded Blue.” When the rights to the music is secured and the recording is available, consider purchasing it on your favorite streaming platform, knowing that not just a portion of the proceeds, but every cent goes to supporting our wounded officers. Most importantly, take a moment to reflect on your own passions and how they can sustain you through life’s challenges as a warrior sworn to public service and protection.
For me, “The Other Side of Passion” is about living fully in both worlds—serving with dedication as a law enforcement professional and creating with heart as a musician. It’s about honoring the oath I took while embracing the music that keeps me whole. Together, we can celebrate the resilience of our officers, support those who have given so much, and remind the world that behind every badge is a human being with a story to tell.
This is a sample of what’s to come, be patient and we’ll notify you when the music project will be available for download. Currently, the first project “Between two Hats,” is available on the website, Criticalincidentreview.com. You choose the amount of the donation, any amount, and we’ll send you a CD. (Note: A CD is a small shinny disk that you must have a CD player to listen to it, for those of you too young to remember! Hahaha.)
Sgt. Jamie Borden (Ret.)
Author, Founder, Critical Incident Review, L.L.C.
