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Clay Deputies Look for Ways to Cope with Tragic Losses

 Ann Butler  Jackelyn Barnard     Created: 11/4/2009 7:11:36 PM    Updated: 11/4/2009 8:11:30 PM
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CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- To deal with the stress it has faced in the last month, the Clay County Sheriff's Office is planning ways to cope with what has been a month of relentless tragedy. 

It started with an officer involved shooting. Then there was a double homicide at a club. Days later, 7-year-old Somer Thompson went missing and was later found dead. On Tuesday, detectives worked a double murder-suicide involving two children.

The cases have taken a toll on the department. The sheriff's office has a crisis team in place, made up of 16 members who have been trained to handle this kind of stress.

Detective Andy Scott said it's important to talk and deal with the stress because these kinds of cases are consuming. "You think about it when you are sleeping. You think about it when you are watching TV. It's all encompassing."

It's been hard to handle because there hasn't been a break, Scott said. He said he wonders every night as he goes to bed if his pager will go off and if there will be another crisis to handle.

As the team leader for the crisis unit, Scott said he already has spoken to a number of detectives. Some cry, some are angry, he said.

He will lead the department meeting Thursday and said that he hopes many employees show up to just talk and release their stress.

For information on how to discuss violence with your children, CLICK HERE.
 

 

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