Built by First Responders, for First Responders
MS LEAPS was founded on a simple belief: the men and women who run toward danger deserve the same level of care and support they give to others.
How MS LEAPS began
MS LEAPS was established in 2005 to address a critical gap in Mississippi's first responder community — the absence of a statewide, coordinated peer support network built specifically for first responders.
What began as a small group of officers committed to looking out for one another has grown into a statewide alliance serving agencies across all 82 Mississippi counties.
Today, MS LEAPS trains peer support specialists, deploys critical incident response teams, and partners with agencies to build a lasting mental health infrastructure — all rooted in the lived experience of those who serve.
2005
Year Founded
All 82 Counties
Statewide Coverage
The cost of silence is too high
First responders are trained to be strong — to push through, stay focused, and get the job done no matter the cost. Over the years, first responders have been taught to "keep it all in" and "just don't think about it," and this has caused issues in our careers and with our families. We remain stoic and professional in the face of the senseless tragedy we view daily. Despite the low pay, long hours, and no "normal" life on holidays and weekends, we report for work as scheduled because the battle of good versus evil rages on. We put everything on the line each and every day, but we don't always realize the toll it can take on our own lives. We are taught that others will not understand us, and that is where MS LEAPS exists to change that. Giving first responders other first responders "peers" who are trained to help and give "support" in the time of need, who understand them. Every day, first responders face high-stress events – situations that hold the potential to invoke powerful emotions that have the potential to interfere with our ability to function, either at the scene or later. Shootings, accidents, use of physical force, injuries, seeing injured victims (especially children), deaths (especially line-of-duty deaths), suicides (especially police suicides), sudden health problems, and the countless other tragic events that we witness happening to others and ourselves daily are all examples of critical incidents. But sometimes, our "survival techniques" are self-destructive and cause harm to ourselves, our families, our friends, and even our community.
The Job Takes a Toll
First Responders experience trauma at rates far exceeding the general population. Without support, that trauma compounds — affecting health, relationships, and performance.
Peers Make the Difference
Research consistently shows that first responders are more likely to seek help from a trusted colleague than a clinician. Peer support bridges that gap.
Silence Costs Lives
Law enforcement suicide rates have started to exceed line-of-duty deaths over the past few years. Proactive, culturally competent peer support saves lives — and MS LEAPS is committed to that mission every day.
MS LEAPS is peer support NOT professional mental health services
MS LEAPS gives first responders a fellow peer to offer peer support. We are NOT Professional Mental Health Experts.
20% to 25% of Law Enforcement personnel struggle with alcohol or substance misuse 29% of Firefighters struggle with alcohol abuse or substance misuse 40% of EMS struggle with alcohol abuse or substance misuse
Law Enforcement are roughly 54% more likely to die by suicide than the general public. Firefighters and EMS are roughly 38%-39% more likely to die by suicide than the general public
Experts say 78%-87% of Law Enforcement Officers have PTSD The average Officer will experience 188 traumatic events The average citizen will face less than 3
First Responders have a 60% to 80% higher rate of divorce than the general public The average life expectancy for First Responders is around 57 to 64 years (roughly 10 to 22 years lower than the general public)
Rates of Depression in First Responders Dispatchers: 28% EMS: 15% Law Enforcement: 14% Firefighters: 5% General Public: 8%
Sleep Disorder Rates Law enforcement officers: 40% Firefighters: 37% EMS: 55% 1 in 10 LE have Insomnia 7 in 10 LE with PTSD have Insomnia
THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO BE; THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE!
LEAPS members are First Responders, just like you. We are here to respond and help you deal with the physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and spiritual effects of the job-related stress we carry and deal with every day. You are not alone! If you have any questions, please get in touch with us. MS LEAPS is made up of professional emergency responders who care enough to volunteer their time to “be there” for their brothers and sisters in tough times. MS LEAPS is privately funded and is independent of being “controlled” by any agency or department. MS LEAPS proudly provides focused, practical peer support and training to emergency responders. Our purpose and reason for existence is to make sure First Responders can do their jobs and deal with the job-related stress in healthy ways. We are fellow first responders who answer the same calls, deal with the same people, write the same reports, and experience the same challenges.
The team behind MS LEAPS
Our leadership team bring decades of combined law enforcement experience and a deep personal commitment to first responder wellness.
Tim Rutledge
Executive Director/ Founder
Coming Soon.
Brad Cater
Board Member
Retired Officer, Ridgeland Police Department.
Chuck Jenkins
Board Member/ Northern District Coordinator
Director, Lafayette County Law Enforcement Training Academy. Retired Major, Oxford Police Department. First Responder Since 1982
J. Chad Callender
Board Member/ Central District Coordinator
Deputy, Rankin County Sheriff’s Office. 30 years of experience in Law Enforcement and Emergency Management. Certified FAA Drone Pilot, Certified Emergency Manager. President of TCS Risk Management Group, Chairman of the Rankin Shield Project.
Tammy Shelbourn
Board Member/ Southern District Coordinator
Coming Soon
Patrick Brandle
Board Member/ Gulf Coast District Coordinator
Captain, Pascagoula Police Department Been in Law Enforcement since 2006. Previously a K-9 Handler/Criminal Interdiction Team Member and Patrol Commander; currently leads the Field Services Division. Graduate of the National Command & Staff College (Class 18).
Vicki Currie
Board Member/ C.O.P.S. Coordinator
Retired Investigator, Madison Police Department. 32 years of Law Enforcement Experience. Graduate of Mississippi State University. Member of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S).
Andy Matuszewski
Board Member/ SSPBA Coordinator
Lieutenant, Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office. First Responder Since 1988 Training Officer, Accreditation Team Manager, Crisis Intervention Team(CIT), SWAT Crisis Negotiator, Legislative Liaison. President of the Mississippi Division of Southern States Police Benevolent Association (SSPBA). President of MS Crisis Intervention Team. Adjunct Instructor, East Mississippi Public Safety Institute.
Ryan Stacy
Board Member/ Marketing & Digital Coordinator
Corporal, Ridgeland Police Department. Has been in Law Enforcement since 2017. Started his LE career as a USAF Security Forces Member before becoming a civilian law enforcement officer. He currently serves as a patrol supervisor with RPD and serves as a Dept. of the Air Force Firearms Instructor with the MS Air National Guard. He is a graduate of the Mississippi Law Enforcement Command College and the USAF Combat Arms and Training Apprentice Course.
Toby Schwartz
Assistant C.O.P.S Coordinator
Coming Soon.
CJ Caufield
Chaplain Coordinator
Law Enforcement/ Emergency Services Chaplain Has over 25 years of experience working as a First Responder Chaplain. Has responded to and assisted first responders with numerous disaster deployments, high-stress events, and critical incidents. Active Shooter Instructor with several national awards.
Want to learn more or get involved?
Whether you represent an agency, are a first responder in need, or want to support our mission — we want to hear from you.