In the wake of a tragic death by suicide within any institution, the role of caregivers (e.g., chaplains, ministers, and counselors) becomes both urgent and indispensable. The death of a member, a leader, a chaplain, a pastor, or other identifiable leader within any institution creates a huge ripple effect.

With training, chaplains, ministers, and counselors should walk alongside leadership, family, and members during times of crisis, offering compassionate presence, spiritual grounding, and emotional support. Our panelists bring extensive expertise to help institutions respond with clarity, empathy, and resilience. From tragedy comes deep pain, but also the opportunity for redemption, growth, and a choice to transform loss into purpose and healing.

Dr. Olivia Johnson is a globally recognized expert in first responder wellness, suicide prevention, and suicide inoculation. She holds a master’s degree in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Missouri, St. Louis, and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership Management from the University of Phoenix. As the founder of the Blue Wall Institute, Dr. Johnson conducts cutting-edge research, consulting, training, education, and needs assessments for agencies.

A U.S. Air Force veteran and former police officer, her frontline experience fuels her deep understanding of the many challenges that first responders face. Her FATAL 10™ research is being used as a risk assessment tool by health insurance companies, first responder organizations, and clinical personnel. As a suicidology researcher, Dr. Johnson has meticulously examined over 3,000 cases of suicide, violent death, and overdose among first responders, shaping her data-driven approach to a new paradigm known as the Suicide Inoculation Protocol (i.e., The Protocol). The Protocol is utilized as a risk assessment tool to manage risk and reduce adverse outcomes, including suicide.

Her leadership experience includes serving as a member of the Advisory Board for the VALOR Officer Safety and Wellness and De-escalation Programs. She also worked as a Senior Research Associate and lead instructor for the Institute for Intergovernmental Research, where she played a key role in advancing officer safety, wellness, and suicide prevention initiatives. As the lead developer and Program Director of SAFLEO (Suicide Awareness for Law Enforcement Officers), Dr. Johnson helped deliver critical, life-saving training to thousands of first responders nationwide. Her relentless commitment to saving lives continues to transform how resilience, leadership, and wellness are developed within the first responder community.

Immediate Past President, the International Conference of Police Chaplains, Staff Chaplain, Elkhart, IN Police Department, Founder, Warrior on the Wall Ministries.

Jim Bontrager currently serves as a staff chaplain (former Senior Chaplain) with the Elkhart, IN Police Department and is founder of Warrior on the Wall Ministries. A United States Marine, Jim understands warriors and is firmly convinced that they WILL walk in victory as they look to God for wisdom, strength, and power. Jim speaks at Law Enforcement conferences and retreats and conducts Law Enforcement/ Chaplain training around the country.

He holds his Fellow Chaplain credentials with the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC) and is the immediate past president of the Organization (www.icpcchaplains.org). He is a certified law enforcement instructor with the State of Indiana and the ICPC. A former national board member with the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers USA, he and his team currently spearhead a 31 year national outreach to strengthen and encourage law enforcement families.

He is the 2012 recipient of the Wilbert A. Cunningham Award for excellence in law enforcement chaplaincy (IN), a 2013 recipient of an Excellence in Leadership Award from Pointman Leadership Institute, the 2016 recipient of the Richard S. Kassel Award and was appointed a Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Governor Mike Pence in 2015. He the 2016 recipient of the Richard S. Kassel Award, the 2017 recipient of the Pilsung Warrior Award, and a 2018 recipient of the John A. Price Excellence in Chaplaincy Award. He is author of the official law enforcement curriculum for the movie Courageous.

Married to his wife Susie of 39 years, Jim is a father of 9 children and 23 grandchildren.

Send correspondence to 
 Ch Jim Bontrager
 jim.bontrager@icpcchaplains.org

The Digital Theological Library / Seminary Bookshelf

The Seminary Bookshelf is a comprehensive research library in religious studies.  It is designed to provide religious professionals with a research library to support their personal growth and professional development.  A unique resource, it provides members with access to a world-class research library in religious studies of over 1,300,000 eBooks (over 850,000 eBooks from the last 25 years, over 400,000 eBooks from the last 10 years, and over 125,000 eBooks from the last 5 years).

The Seminary Bookshelf was created by a group of about 70 seminaries worldwide to mirror the volumes which they own in their local libraries. The library is curated with ministers, chaplains, preachers, priests, rabbis, imams and other working religious professionals in mind. The collections have tremendous breadth and depth in Biblical studies, theology, leadership, ministry, practical theology, history, counseling, pastoral care and philosophy. The books are chosen by seminary professors and curated by professional theological librarians.

The Seminary Bookshelf is owned by the Digital Theological Library.

Free entry

Receive a .2 hour CEU certificate after participating in this webinar. This CEU is awarded by the Marsh Institute in conjunction with Clinical Pastoral Education International. CPEI is accredited by International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET's CEUs.

Walking with the Hurting Following a Death by Suicide - Two hour webinar