I Was a Cop Involved In Multiple Shootings — Then I Lost Myself to Alcohol | Michael Martinez

Michael Martinez grew up in San Diego and started getting into trouble as a teenager before turning his life around and heading to Hawaii for college. His goal was to serve and protect — but his past made getting into law enforcement a challenge. While waiting to be accepted, he worked animal control in San Diego County before finally joining the San Diego Police Department. Within his first two years, Michael was involved in three officer-involved shootings, an experience that led to severe PTSD, alcoholism, and a complete personal breakdown. This episode dives deep into the reality behind the badge — the trauma, the toll, and the long road to redemption. Michael opens up about how he rebuilt his life, saved his family, and learned that asking for help isn’t weakness — it’s survival. #PoliceStory #TrueCrimePodcast #AddictionRecovery #FormerCop #PoliceShootings #MentalHealthAwareness #LawEnforcementLife #redemptionjourney Thank you to BLUECHEW, AURA FRAMES & PRIZEPICKS for sponsoring this episode: BlueChew: Get 10% off your first month of BlueChew Gold with code LOCKEDIN. Visit https://bluechew.com/ for more details and important safety information Aura Frames: Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/LOCKEDIN. Promo Code LOCKEDIN Prizepicks: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/IANBICK and use code IANBICK and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps: 00:00 Trauma Begins: Michael’s Early Struggles & Childhood Impact 01:27 Who Is Michael? Upbringing, Family Life & Early Influences 05:57 Growing Up Tough: Life Lessons, Trouble & Survival Skills 10:44 The First Turning Point: School, Identity & Finding Purpose 13:05 Starting Out: Security Work, Corrections & Law Enforcement Dreams 17:02 Becoming a Cop: The Application Process & Early Obstacles 24:58 Craziest Animal Control Stories + The Career-Changing Phone Call 27:32 Rejection, Pressure & Balancing Family Expectations 34:13 Joining San Diego PD: Training Academy & Rookie Life 43:54 First Days on Patrol: Real Calls, Adrenaline & Family Adjustments 51:40 The Rookie Reality: Hardest Challenges New Officers Face 01:00:00 First Officer-Involved Shooting: What Really Happens 01:17:38 The Aftermath: Trauma, Marriage Strain & Drinking Begins 01:31:04 Workaholism, Emotional Distance & Alcohol Escalation 01:39:07 Second Shooting: Inside an Active Shooter Incident 01:55:53 PTSD Symptoms: Nightmares, Paranoia & Home Life Collapse 02:01:39 Third Shooting: Risk-Taking, Burnout & Hitting Rock Bottom 02:16:06 The Breaking Point: Career Consequences & Support Arrives 02:23:11 Intervention, Treatment & Admitting the Problem 02:33:21 Recovery Journey: Rebuilding Family & Helping Other Officers 02:52:11 The Power of Police Wellness Programs & Mental Health Support 02:55:30 What He Learned: Advice for Officers, Families & Survivors 02:56:46 Fourth Shooting Revealed: How His Recovery Came Full Circle 03:01:00 Gratitude, Support Systems & Final Thoughts on Healing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices