Oklahoma City Police Sergeant Katie Lawson faced every officer’s worst nightmare when she was ambushed while in her patrol car. A suspect wielding a firearm fired 26 rounds at her vehicle — six of those rounds struck her. Thanks to her ballistic vest and remarkable courage, Lawson fought back and survived this harrowing attack. Rather than letting trauma define her career, Lawson subsequently returned to patrol duties, then served in a narcotics unit. When the department started a wellness unit in 2020, Lawson applied and was accepted. “So many people poured into me and gave to me during that time, I wanted to give back to others,” she said. Lawson has now served in the unit for five years and has become a powerful advocate for officer wellness and mental health initiatives.
Lawson shared her powerful story during Surviving the Line of Duty, a webinar hosted by Public Safety Insight and provided by Samsung. The program also features Keith Redlin, Samsung Business Director for Public Sector and a longtime reserve sheriff’s deputy. Together, they discussed trauma recovery, the importance of peer support systems, and emerging mobile technologies that are enhancing officer wellness and safety. Whether you’re in law enforcement, public safety leadership, or a support role, this webinar provides invaluable insights into not just surviving traumatic incidents but becoming stronger and more resilient. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how you can advance officer wellness and readiness in your organization.
