039 - A Cop Undone: Norm Wielsch, Part 1 Artwork

Hey Chaplain: The Police Wellness Podcast

The Hey Chaplain podcast is where cops encourage each other by sharing their wisdom and experience with the Chaplain. On Hey Chaplain you'll hear from dispatchers and federal agents, Sheriffs and US Marshals, as well as local detectives and patrolmen. From the LAPD to Scotland Yard, the guests on Hey Chaplain deliver advice and insights so that police officers everywhere can survive and thrive. The host, Jared Altic, has almost 30 years of experience serving and counseling military and law enforcement families. The show looks at both the humorous and traumatic sides of police life, sharing wisdom to create healthy cops both at work and at home. New podcast episodes about police life and chaplaincy are available on first, third, and fifth Mondays of each month. Look for occasional special bonus episodes! Share this podcast with a cop or someone who loves a cop.

All Episodes

Hey Chaplain: The Police Wellness Podcast

039 - A Cop Undone: Norm Wielsch, Part 1

October 03, 2022 • Jared Altic

Text a Message to the Show

The average age of an LEO suicide is in their early forties with almost 17 years of experience; so it's not always a young emotional cop who gets overwhelmed by stress and trauma. It's sometimes the older cop, who was stressed out and traumatized years ago but now is unable to stay ahead of it because of age, illness, and life's complications. The warrior mentality pushes the older cop to keep going, even when he or she can't anymore, and something has to give. Maybe this leads to suicide but there are also other ways to self destruct as a cop.

Today I'm talking to Norm Wielsch. Norm was a California cop who was successful in his career until PTSI, health problems, and addiction changed his life forever. Norm became a criminal and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. In this first of two parts, we'll discuss the trauma, the medical limitations, and the prescription med addiction that led to him ruining his career and ending up behind bars.

Warning: This episode contains discussion of traumatic events and suicide attempts. Listener discretion is advised.

Norm's website for his book: