Several years ago, Officer Adam Davis sat in his patrol car with a gun to his head while yelling at God.
A Desperate Moment Becomes a Turning Point
The story of how he got from the lowest point in his life to writing books is the basis for his message to those who serve. His latest book is “Bulletproof Family: A 90-Day Devotional.” Written with coauthor Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, the book is designed to help military, law enforcement, and first responder families grow closer and stronger together.But back to that day with his finger on the trigger, at the end of his emotional rope, ready to end his own life. He began, in his words, “an interrogation of God,” asking the Almighty why he had not helped in times of need.
He received an immediate answer in a flood of emotion.
“I instantly felt a peace sweep over me like this raging storm inside,“ he said. ”I turned to complete and perfect peace, and I felt this love unlike anything I’ve ever felt in my life, 10,000 times more powerful than the love of my wife.”
Thoughts of suicide were gone. He immediately went to see his wife, from whom he’d separated, and she told him to come home.
Davis now had a mission beyond fighting crime: helping those who serve by creating a shield for the soul.
And with jobs in law enforcement more stressful than ever, the need for emotional assistance has never been greater. Davis mentioned a fellow officer who had served on overseas military deployments. The veteran told him that in those cases, “at least you know who the enemy is.” Davis said it’s very different for a police officer.
“Here, your enemy could be at the grocery store, at the post office, at church, at a restaurant, the gas station, and you never get a break from it,“ he said. ”It’s 24/7, and you’ve got officers being ambushed. You’ve got people that are always wanting to record everything and criticize, hate, or ridicule every single action, word, or behavior of a cop. It takes a toll. And then a lot of times, bleeds over into the family life.”
He noted that politics isn’t helping, with some calling for defunding the police and some simply hating law enforcement.
Why Strong Families Matter for Those Who Serve
He found that saving families was the key to dealing with all this. His research turned up studies showing that 40 percent to 70 percent of police suicides were tied to a failed relationship. He also realized that the main reason people become officers is the same thing that can save them: love—something cops need to realize.“They may not tell you that,“ he said. ”They gotta be rough and tough and stoic. And it’s love that drives them. Love is the fuel. Love is the force behind them. Love is the most powerful force in all existence, and it’s what causes men and women to get up and serve in a world that is growing increasingly more hostile towards them.”
He also noted that officers are often reluctant to ask for assistance with personal issues.
“We still have an issue with culture, the subculture within law enforcement, where people are ostracized if they ask for help,” he said.
So his book offers a way for them to work directly with their families. Each entry includes a Bible passage, a devotion, quick tips, action steps, discussion questions, and a unifying prayer.
“The whole goal behind it is to promote harmony, peace, unity, and resilience in the families of the men and women who serve,“ he said. ”These men and women who serve have families. They miss a lot of birthdays. They miss Christmas morning. They miss holidays, special moments that you cannot get back and you can’t redo. And, they deserve the absolute best of the best to help keep them close together and close-knit.”
His earlier book “Behind the Badge” offers 365 daily devotions for cops and has sold 100,000 copies.
Many will tell those who serve, “Thank you for your service,” but Davis said the general public can take things a little further.
“I‘ll tell you exactly what they would love to hear,“ he said. ”When you see a man or woman in uniform, whether they’re law enforcement, firefighters, some other first responder, military, whatever, just pause for five seconds. Say: ‘I just want to let you know my family and I, we appreciate y’all. We love you and we support you and we’re praying for you.’”
Davis, who left the force years ago, is now 44 with three children and has been married for 26 years. He said the solution to improving policing is as simple as a thank-you.
“Gratitude is the prerequisite for any growth or abundance that you experience in life,“ he said. ”If you want to see more good cops, express gratitude for the good ones you got, instead of focusing all your energy on hating the ones you don’t like.”
