About Us

Several years back, members of our team had the opportunity to participate in National Police Week by doing peer support. The first year was the most exhausting week of anything we had ever done, but it was also the most rewarding. We also discovered we had a knack for it, and we were invited back a couple of years in a row.

In 2018, we formed Warrior’s Rest Foundation. While we initially focused on Law Enforcement, we quickly expanded to serve agencies in Fire, EMS, Communications Officers, and Corrections, while still serving Law Enforcement as well.

Through peer support teams, workshops, and educational tools, Warrior’s Rest is shifting the stigma that surrounds job-related trauma with programs that support healthy individuals and build infrastructure within agencies. 

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Our team is comprised of active and retired First Responders and First Responder Clinicians who have a firsthand understanding of the pain these warriors carry. They have seen the consequences of compounding trauma and witnessed what’s possible when First Responders engage in the healing process. 

We believe healing begins in courageous conversations, and restoration is possible when First Responders choose to offer and receive help from one another. Warrior’s Rest is on a mission to help First Responders heal from frontline traumas and empower them to live healthy, productive lives - personally and professionally.

Programs are available to give agencies training, tools, and support to build resilience in First Responders across the nation.

Our Team

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Brett Key

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Brett Key is the Chief Executive Officer and a Co-Founder of the Warrior’s Rest Foundation.  Brett retired in 2021 as a Lieutenant with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) after serving the state for 26 years.  Brett served in numerous assignments during his career with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol including becoming a supervisor and K-9 handler in OHP’s Criminal Interdiction Division and as a supervisor in the Training Division.  During his time in the Training Division, Brett had oversight and developed the curriculum for the Leadership Development program, the Law Enforcement Driver Training program, and served in the Commandant and Assistant Commandant role for three of OHP’s Academies.  Brett served on OHP’s Tactical Team as an operator, sniper, Team Leader and rose to the position of Assistant Commander.  Brett also served in the OHP’s Officer Assistance Program as a peer counselor for over a decade.

Brett is an experienced presenter and instructor in Leadership topics as well as other numerous disciplines.  Brett is trained in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF).  Brett has helped teach and train Peer Support Teams across the State of Oklahoma.  He has served as a peer counselor in Post Critical Incident Seminars (PCIS) conducted in Oklahoma as well as serving as a peer with Support Services for the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) at National Police Week in Washington DC.

“My passion is to ensure that mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health is the #1 priority of the first responders, their families and the departments.“

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John "Blu" Blumenthal

Chief Operating Officer

John "Blu" Blumenthal brings over two decades of dedicated service from the Oklahoma City Police Department as Chief Operating Officer at the Warriors Rest Foundation. Blu's extensive career in law enforcement spans 24.5 years, during which he served in various capacities, including Patrol, IMPACT (undercover drug unit), Motors Division, training center, and the Wellness Unit. His tenure saw him navigating multiple critical incidents, offering him invaluable experience in crisis management and resilience building.

Blu's commitment to his profession and community is underscored by the tragic losses he has experienced firsthand. His partner, Officer Jeff Rominger, lost his life in the line of duty in 2000 alongside Trooper Matt Evens of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Subsequently, Blu was present during the line-of-duty death of Sgt. Jonathan Dragus in 2005 and the tragic incident involving Recruit Officer Kelley Chase during training in 2012. These experiences have profoundly shaped Blu's understanding of trauma and the Importance of mental health support for law enforcement personnel.

His journey towards healing and growth led him to engage in peer support initiatives starting in 2005, culminating in his Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) certification through ICISF. Blu's expertise extends to addressing cumulative trauma and fostering resiliency among officers, drawing from personal challenges like job termination, family issues, and work-related incidents. Through seeking and utilizing available resources, Blu transformed his life, emerging as a beacon of hope and resilience for his colleagues and their families.

Blu finds fulfillment in sharing his story and insights, providing guidance and support to fellow officers and their loved ones as they navigate the aftermath of traumatic events. His dedication to promoting mental well-being and firsthand experience in overcoming adversity make him a valuable asset to the Warriors Rest Foundation, where he now serves as the Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Blu continues his mission of supporting law enforcement professionals and fostering a culture of resilience within the community.

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Gary Berryhill

Director of Operations

Gary Berryhill retired from the United States Marshals Service (USMS) after 26 years of service. Gary served as Chief Inspector in the Tactical Operations Division, Office of Crisis Services, as the Chief of the USMS Peer Support Team called the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). He was responsible for coordinating the deployment and peer support response by CIRT to USMS employees worldwide. Gary has extensive instruction and presentation experience and is adept in the coordination of internal team resources and liaison relationships with government agencies to facilitate advancement of program initiatives. Gary worked with Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S) to help coordinate peers, chaplains, and mental health professionals providing Support Services for the families and coworkers of fallen officers at National Police Week for 7 years. He is an approved Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) instructor through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) and has taught and assisted with building Peer Counseling teams in the State of Oklahoma as well as teams across the United States. Gary has served as a peer counselor in Post Critical Incident Seminars (PCIS) conducted in Oklahoma. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Oklahoma Chapter of the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.).

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Dr. Kathy Thomas

Clinical Director

Dr. Kathy Thomas began working with public safety personnel in April 1995, in response to the Oklahoma City Bombing.  In addition, she responded to both New York and Washington DC following the 9/11 Terrorist attacks. She is the Contract Psychologist for the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (including the OK Highway Patrol).   She is the Clinical Director for the Warriors Rest Foundation, a non-profit that provides peer support training, mentoring and response for law enforcement and first responder agencies and departments, nationally. She has provided mental health and support services for the national organization of Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (C.O.P.S.) for over 23 years, while also serving on the Advisory Board of the Oklahoma Chapter of C.O.P.S.  She is a Level II trained EMDR therapist. She received her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Oklahoma State University in 1988, and has maintained a private practice, specializing in first responders in Stillwater, Oklahoma for the past 32 years.

"My goal is for law enforcement and first responder personnel to have a successful career, successful family and successful retirement. I am committed to do my part so that goal can be reached."

Jill Newman (1)

Jill Newman, M Ed., LPC-S

Education and Outreach Coordinator

Jill is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor from Shawnee Oklahoma, worked in community mental health and owned a private practice for several years. Jill is a former educator, is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Gottman Couple’s Therapy. Jill is passionate about implementing both therapeutic and critical incident stress management skills as she works with first responders and their families to find hope and healing in the midst of their traumatic experiences. She has worked with Warrior’s Rest Foundation and Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) since 2017 responding to numerous critical incidents. She is especially grateful to have had the opportunity to honor fallen officers by helping those they love at COPS kid’s camp, spouses retreat, adult children’s retreat, siblings retreat and national police week. She enjoys speaking in varied arenas. Her speaking focus is promoting the mental health of the responder and their families through education and evidence-based strategies to help them thrive despite the continued trauma they experience. Jill enjoys volunteering in her community for numerous events as well as at her church. Jill finds her greatest joy in spending time with her family and helping others.

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Javier Bustos

Program Manager

Javier Bustos is an honorably retired law enforcement officer from the Austin Police Department, Texas. He is also a Veteran of the United States Air Force. He is a graduate of the University of The Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Arts. He is a graduate of the Austin Police Department Leadership Academy. He is certified in Peer Support through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. As one half of “That Peer Support Couple” with his wife, Cathy Bustos, he is a strong advocate for First Responder peer support and mental health help. He is an approved International Critical Incident Stress Foundation certified instructor and a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement instructor. Javier is proud to be a peer with Warrior's Rest Foundation while serving as a Project Manager. He appeared in the documentary "Officer Involved".

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Mark Calhoon

Peer Coordinator

Mark Calhoon is the Peer Coordinator and PCIS Coordinator of the Warrior’s Rest Foundation.  Mark retired on June 1st , 2023, as a Lieutenant with the Oklahoma City Fire Department after serving the city for 29 years 11 months and 14 days.  Markwas a Certified Peer Fitness Trainer, Shift Leader of the Peer Support Team, and Paramedic. He served on the OKCFD Wellness Committee and was on the Oklahoma City Firefighters Health and Welfare Board as an active firefighter and continues to serve on that board as a retiree. In retirement he also remains a full dues paying member with IAFF Local 157. Mark is a father of 4 children and at present a Grandad of 2 grandsons.

“My purpose and passion is to support all first Responders, their families and agencies in any and every way that I can in relation to their emotional, mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. To give back what was given to me.”

Our Board of Directors

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Susan Green

Tony Young

Tony Young

Tara Little resized (1)

Tara Little

Keith Bryant (2)

Keith Bryant

Ricky

Rickey Barrow

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Jillian Sulley

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Kristi Birk Steinberg

wayne Story

Wayne Story

Advisory Council

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Stacey Stephens

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Grant Roberts

Jay Dawes (2)

Jay Dawes

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Brooke M. Tuttle

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John Zeigler

Sandy Clark (1)

Sandy Howard Clark