VALENTINE, Neb. - First responders are no strangers to high-stress situations, but the toll it takes on their mental health is often overlooked. Valentine police officer Jasmine Hoefs knows that struggle firsthand. Now, she’s using her own story to help others open up about theirs.

In December 2022, Hoefs was responding to a medical call during a blizzard when a front-end loader backed over her.

“All I could think about was my kids. I thought, ‘This is it. I’m never going to see them again,’” Hoefs said.

She survived but suffered severe injuries to her face and arm. The physical recovery was grueling, but the mental and emotional toll proved just as challenging.

“My police chief at the time told me, ‘When are you going to let yourself mourn the person you lost?’ That really hit me,” Hoefs said. “I was alive, so I didn’t think I had lost myself. But I had—my body changed, my mind changed, my whole outlook on life changed.”

Like many in law enforcement, Hoefs struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder. Research from Health Psychology Research shows that one in seven police officers worldwide experience PTSD or depression, and one in ten battle another mental illness.

“Another thing about law enforcement is we’re really bad about talking about our mental health. We’re the tough guys and gals. We put on the brave face, and we don’t talk about the PTSD or any of the effects that come with being in this line of work,” said Hoefs.

Determined to break the silence, she launched Unrefined Restoration: An Officer's Journey Back to the Line. It’s a space not only to honor law enforcement who’ve suffered injuries while on duty, but also create a peer support group.

“Someone understanding that you have your mask on now, but when you’re ready to take that off, I’m here for you to talk to, and it’s a safe place. That is huge,” said Hoefs.

Now, as Hoefs patrols the town she fought so hard to serve again, she’s also making sure other officers know they don’t have to face their struggles alone.

“We never want the other person to feel alone,” she said.