When police departments go woke and broke, officers suffer the most. One org is stepping in the gap

Just The News will air two special Memorial Day weekend episodes of its flagship program, "Just The News, No Noise," highlighting the critical assistance first-responders and law enforcement need, and often don't get, when injured in the line of duty.

The two-night special, airing Friday and Monday, is in partnership with the charitable advocacy group The Wounded Blue and will help raise awareness about wounded police officers and the challenges they face in getting adequate care.

While each of the officers' stories are unique, they share the common challenge of not having a federal program like the Veteran's Administration (VA) to help them, and often do not get aid from their police departments, some of which have been described as "going broke as they went woke."

Randy Sutton

Randy Sutton, a retired Police lieutenant, author, and nationally recognized advocate for law enforcement officers, enjoyed a 34-year career that began as the youngest police officer in New Jersey and culminated as a highly decorated veteran of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. 

He survived intense incidents, including a Mexican standoff with a jewelry store robber and a 1989 active-shooter gunfight in which his weapon jammed while facing a suspect who was later shot 43 times. 

His career ended with a stroke while on patrol on the Las Vegas Strip, followed by a hard-fought legal battle for benefits.

Just The News reached out to Las Vegas Metro Police Department for comment but did not get a response before the posting of this story.

Today, as founder and CEO of The Wounded Blue, Sutton leads a national organization that has supported over 17,000 injured and disabled officers under the motto “Never Forgotten, Never Alone.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Hali Bradford

Hali Bradford, a Louisiana deputy and National Guard veteran, was shot with a .223 round on August 5, 2023, while responding to a domestic disturbance call. Ambushed at close range with two fellow officers, the bullet struck her right buttock, causing severe nerve damage, a fractured left hip and injuries to her intestines, colon, left kidney, ureter and sciatic nerve. 

Immediately paralyzed from the waist down, she dragged herself to safety by her arms as rounds flew overhead. Her partners risked their lives to save her, one sustaining non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. 

She required 18 units of blood and emergency surgery. Once a CrossFit athlete, she now faces grueling rehabilitation, partial paralysis in her left foot, and $140,000 in therapy costs. The Lafayette Police Department terminated her due to her permanent injuries. Just The News reached out to the department for comment but did not get a response before the posting of this story.

Tania Owens

Retired Deputy Tania Owens is another powerful voice for resilience in the face of unimaginable loss. In 2016, her husband was murdered while responding to a burglary call; he was ambushed, shot in the head, and subjected to additional shots to ensure he would not survive. 

Since then, Owens has passionately advocated for families of fallen officers. Through candid conversations on social media and podcast platforms, she has shared her experiences with grief and the challenging journey of rebuilding her life. 

She also co-authored the memoir “After the Badge,” which provides an intimate look at the struggles and enduring strength of law enforcement families.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Dr. Ehsan Jazini

While not a police officer, Dr. Ehsan Jazini, a dedicated spinal surgeon at the Virginia Spine Institute, has become a lifeline for catastrophically injured law enforcement officers failed by the workers’ compensation system. 

Police officers are injured on the job at more than 16 times the national average, yet many face denials, delays of 18–24 months for needed surgery, and are pushed toward opioids and pain management instead of proper care. 

Dr. Jazini, with rare expertise and willingness to tackle complex cases others reject, has performed surgeries on approximately eight wounded officers in recent years, with three currently under his care. 

Supported by a secret donor to The Wounded Blue who has quietly committed nearly $3 million, the surgeon's work has transformed the detective, K9 officer and Sgt. Tim Putney. Injured in 2017, misdiagnosed and given incorrect surgeries, Tim received two complex procedures from Dr. Jazini in 2025. 

Just three months later, he walked his daughter down the aisle. 

“It was one of the best feelings,” Putney said. “I will always have that memory with her.” 

Dr. Jazini views officers and firefighters as society’s front line, noting that “the impact you can have is a force multiplier.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Amanda Head is White House Correspondent for Just The News. You can follow her here.