Everyday Heroes 2022

Warner Robins
Police Department
The Peer Team
By: Tyler Meister
HHJ Staff Writer
Eric Hunley Matt Smith Trent VanLannen
Pictured L-to-R: Trent VanLannen, Matt Smith & Eric Hunley
First responders have difficult jobs. Because of the
necessity of their jobs — because of what being a police
officer, a fire fighter, an EMS worker involves — the things they
have to see and do can be traumatic.
Their jobs are not always as simple as saving the day;
sometimes they have to witness unimaginable sights or make
judgment calls that would leave anyone shaken afterwards.
The goal of the Warner Robins Police Department Peer Team is
to help officers deal with some of that trauma.
WRPD’s Peer Team is a ten-person group of officers who,
on top of their regular duties as patrol officers, investigators
and the like, have been trained to recognize the signs of
people struggling with trauma and are able to offer a lending
hand. Speaking with Sergeant Matt Smith, Patrolman Eric
Hunley, and Detective Trent VanLannen, they explained the
importance of their work.
“It’s for emotional well being and mental wellness,”
VanLannen said. “We can be as physically fit, we can be as
driven and direct, as good at our jobs as we could possibly be,
but all of that takes a toll over time. You’ve got to be able to
exercise your emotional well being as well as your physical
well being; it’s equally as important.”
According to information provided by the Peer Team, in
2022 alone there have been 50 law enforcement suicides —
from 2020 to 2022, there has been 485. In 2021, there were
73 law enforcement officer deaths, and in 2022 thus far, there
have been 95.
“We’ve all worked without it, when it didn’t exist,” Hunley
said. “That really helps us further understand how important
this is. There was no system in place; there was no support.”
After starting as a team of six in 2016, the team has
expanded to a group of ten. They assist their fellow officers
whenever necessary, even working with other local agencies
when they are in need, as well. The team provides a listening
ear and a structured format for people to talk about their
struggles.
“We here at WRPD truly embrace this concept of being
there for each other,” Smith said. “Any agency around, if they
ever need us, we’re there for them. We have a great team and
support staff here that believe in what we do, and we’re more
than willing to be there for other people or agencies that need
us.”
Warner Robins Police Chief John Wagner commended the
peer team for its work.
In addition to Smith, Hunley and VanLannen, there
are seven other officers working on the Peer Team. They
are: Officers Josh Wilcox, Chris Fussell, Greg Martin, Jason
Lamberth, Chris Scaderi, Carter Gravitt and Chandralyn Jones.
26 Everyday Heroes Houston County, 2022