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.

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

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.“

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.

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.).

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, 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.

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".

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

Susan Green

Secretary and Founding Board Member

In 1982 my husband (George Green EOW 10-26-10) worked an accident where a women, eight months pregnant and a four- year old boy were killed. Till the year he died the little boy, as he put it, visited him in his dreams. At his funeral a colleague told me he asked George one time what he was doing with all the stuff he had seen, heard, smelled and George told him he put it in a closet in his brain with a locked door.

This is why I am part of Warriors Rest. This foundation will help officers help themselves and their partners deal with what they see, they hear and smell. They hold the hand of a dying person, get yelled for doing their job and tell relatives that their loved one has died. That is why this foundation is so important. People see the officer I see the family behind the officer that is there at the end of a shift. They don’t know what happened at work nor do most officers tell what happened. The family has its own needs and wants from the officer. The officer needs a resource that he can talk to when it gets hard and fellow officers looking out for him when he can’t talk about situations. The officer needs to learn how to take care of him/herself.

This is what Warriors Rest does. It teaches officer how to take care of himself or herself and thus be a better family member. It teaches departments how to have peer support groups within the department so they can help each other. They are the ones that see the officer and know him/her. They are the ones that will see the changes. When there is a critical incident that effects the whole department they can go in and help the entire department deal with the tragedy. They provide on going support for the officers and department. That is why I believe in the foundation. My husband should have been able to let the four-year-old boy rest. He shouldn’t have had a closet with a locked door.

During National Police Week of 2011 I became aware of the National Concern of Police Survivors (COPS). This organization provides on going support to the families of fallen officers. I was president of the local chapter from 2013 to2017. I still serve on the board. This organization also works with police officers. From the experience of working with departments and being the wife of an officer I have learned how valuable the knowledge that Warriors Rest can bring to a department can be.

Tony Young

Board Member

Oklahoma City Deputy Fire Chief Tony Young worked in the fire service for 26 years, retiring in 2008.

During his 26 years with Oklahoma City, Chief Young worked his way up through the ranks in the operations division, serving as a Battalion Chief from 1998-2004 and also served on the first Haz-Mat team for the OKC FD.

Tony started working with 1-800-BOARDUP on January 2nd, 2008 as a local Director of Emergency Services in the OKC market and became their first National Director over operations. Tony now serves as the Sr. VP of Operations @ 1-800-BOARDUP International.

Chief Young has worked with many charity and non-charity organizations such as, Victim’s Impact Panel, OKC 1st Tee Foundation, MDA Fill the Boot and numerous other FD charities. Tony and his wife Debby also have a Facebook page where they pick up donations of golf equipment and clothing quarterly and deliver to the OKC 1st Tee Foundation.

In 1998 Tony founded the Oklahoma City FD Awards Banquet & Ball and is still on the committee to date. He is a past president of the OKC Board of Chief Officers, and also sits on the Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum Committee.

Tara Little

President

Tara is the Vice-President Compliance Program Manager and CRA Officer for a family-owned bank in Oklahoma and Arkansas. She was born and raised in Oklahoma. Tara attended Oklahoma State University and NSU and received a bachelor’s in business management with an emphasis on Human Resources. Her faith and family are the most important relationships to her.

She has a deep passion for serving and helping first responders, Law Enforcement, our military, and their families. She serves on the Oklahoma Concerns of Police Survivors chapter as their Director of Media Relations, so the mission of Warrior’s Rest is near and dear to her heart. She has had the Honor and Privilege of working with the families and agencies of Fallen Oklahoma Police Officers. She has extensive knowledge in Non-Profit fundraising, leadership, and organizational management.

Tara has been Critical Incident Stress Management trained(CISM) through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation.

Keith Bryant

Board Member

Chief G. Keith Bryant was appointed as the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal on May 1st, 2021.

Chief Bryant has 44 years in the Fire Service which began as a military firefighter in the U.S. Army. He spent 35 years with the Oklahoma City Fire Department. During that time he worked his way through the ranks within the Operations Division of the Department. He served as Battalion Chief of Operations, Chief Training Officer and Deputy Chief of Operations before being appointed as Oklahoma City’s 20th Fire Chief in 2005 serving in that role until his retirement in 2017. Chief Bryant was appointed by President Donald Trump as U.S. Fire Administrator and held that position until January 2021.

Chief Bryant’s involvement in the Fire and Emergency Services includes serving in many professional organizations at the local, state and national level. He was a member of the International Association of Firefighters Local 157, the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association and past president of the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association. He is a member National Fire Protection Association and past president of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Chief Bryant also served on the Oklahoma State Fire Marshals Commission, the Advisory Committee for Oklahoma State University Fire Protection Program, the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee and currently serves on the Advisory Committee of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Rickey Barrow

Board Member

Major Rickey Barrow is a Bureau Commander with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office with over 40 years of experience in various aspects of law enforcement to include Detention, Patrol, SWAT, Honor Guard, Gang Enforcement, Community Service and Public Information Officer. Currently Major Barrow has oversight command over the Judicial Services Bureau. This unit is responsible for the daily movement and care of inmates that have court appointments within the Oklahoma county court complex which includes the juvenile court complex. The field services component of his operation is responsible for the court sanctioned civil process and the extradition of inmates in state and across the country. Major Barrow is responsible for ensuring that these services are delivered in a professional and efficient manner. Major Barrow is a well-versed leader and commander that uses his skills and knowledge to guide others to accomplish our goals. Major Barrow is a family man with four wonderful children and five granddaughters. Major Barrow enjoys family time, great food, and a good game of golf.

Jillian Sulley

Board Member

Jillian Sulley has a passion for first responders and has dedicated the past 20 years of her career to
supporting first responders in numerous communities across the U.S. Jillian is recognized as a Certified
Emergency Manager by the International Association of Emergency Managers and is a long-term
member of the Oklahoma Emergency Management Association and Central Oklahoma Emergency
Management Association.

Jillian is currently the Emergency Manager for U.S. Operations at Devon Energy, headquartered in
Oklahoma City, where she leads enterprise emergency management efforts. Before Devon Energy,
Jillian served the Pima County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security in Tucson,
Arizona, where she led large-scale community initiatives, including the Davis Monthan Airshow Exercise
and hazardous materials response planning with Mexico border communities. While in Tucson, Jillian
responded to the Gabrielle Gifford assassination attempt, mass sheltering operations, and floods
impacting the community.

Earlier in her career, Jillian led the Oklahoma Terrorism Preparedness & Response Service (TPRS) CDC
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement and served as the ESF-8 Planning
Section Chief, where she responded to numerous weather-related disasters, mass-sheltering operations,
and executive-level state continuity of operations initiatives.

Jillian holds a master's degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in marketing. As a dual
cornea transplant recipient Jillian is proud to advocate for LifeShare of Oklahoma as a member of the
agency’s speaker’s bureau and encourages all to become tissue, eye, and organ donors. Jillian and her
husband, Glenn, resides in south Oklahoma City, where singing and performing fill much of their spare
time.

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Kristi Birk Steinberg

Board Member

Kristi Birk Steinberg is the Director of Membership at the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. Her passion resides within supporting the nonprofit sector through best board governance practices. She received her bachelor’s degree at the University of Oklahoma with a focus in English Literature and Secondary Education, and her master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. Prior to her roles within the nonprofit sector, she was an educator and administrator.

Kristi has been actively involved in the community serving on boards and committees with groups such as the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Oklahoma City, New Leaders Council Oklahoma, Oklahoma Women’s Coalition, United Way of Central Oklahoma Emerging Leaders, HerFlag, ReMerge, and League of Women Voters of Oklahoma City/Oklahoma County.

Kristi is a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and has over 15 years in fitness and wellness development and education. From playing sports and training athletes to working with people who have never experienced a wellness plan, she enjoys helping develop programs for individuals who are looking to better themselves through physical and wellness activity. She is also certified in RYT200 yoga, barre, personal training other various fitness classes.

Kristi is married to Garrett and their two children are her most proud accomplishments.

Wayne Story

Advisory Council Member

Wayne holds a Bachelor degree in business finance and currently holds his Series 7 and 63 securities licenses. He has spent the last 11 years working as Vice President for The Baker Group as a broker/dealer where he handled relationships with Banks and Credit Union in five states. He also spent 12 years as Director of Operations for New Vision Consulting Group where he managed all day to day operations.

Advisory Council

Stacey Stephens

MAMFT, LPC

Stacey Stephens has a Master’s of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 17 years of experience working with individuals and families who have been faced with a variety of mental health issues. She has worked as a case manager, court liaison, and a primary therapist in an inpatient hospital setting in Oklahoma and Texas and is currently in private practice in Shawnee, OK. She is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and trained in Critical Incident Stress Management. She has been a member of the Oklahoma Counseling Association for 14 years. She uses many theoretical approaches, such as cognitive behavioral, person-centered, and family systems theories. She works with issues such as trauma, grief, depression, PTSD, anxiety, anger, family conflict, parenting, coping skills, behavioral issues, and stress management. She works primarily with adolescents and adults. Stacey is dedicated to the mental health field and the pursuit of helping others in need.

Grant Roberts

Oklahoma City Fire Department

Grant Roberts

Battalion Chief/Peer Support Coordinator/Paramedic

26-year veteran of Oklahoma City Fire Department

Enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard as a Combat Medic in 1989 and served with an ambulance battalion during Operation Desert Storm. Started working in the Emergency Medical System (EMS) in 1991 as an Emergency Medical Technician. Work included emergency room and ambulance at Midwest City Hospital. I became a nationally registered Paramedic in 1994 and was hired by Oklahoma City Fire Department (OKCFD) in February of 1995.

Current role with OKCFD is a battalion chief for the downtown metropolitan area. I started as the Peer Support Coordinator early 2020 after serving on the Peer Support/CISM Team for over 4 years. I have responded to multiple large-scale incidents/disasters during my career to include the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in downtown Oklahoma City. I also worked as a paramedic on Midwest City Ambulance during the May 3rd, 1999 F5 tornado that destroyed a large amount of Moore, OK.

Another role is a corporate trainer/consultant for several large businesses in the Oklahoma City Metro Area. For 20 years I have taught emergency action planning, CPR/AED, and First Aid classes to the response teams for the organizations.

Jay Dawes

Strength and Conditioning/ Wellness Coordinator

Jay Dawes PhD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT*D , TSAC-F, FNSCA, is committed to improving the overall wellness and quality of life of first responders. He is currently an Associate professor of Applied Exercise Science in the Department of Kinesiology, Health and Recreation at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Dawes has worked as a university athletic performance coordinator, strength/performance coach, personal trainer, and educator for approximately 20 years. His primary research interests is focused on improving the health, fitness and human performance for the tactical athletes/first responder, as well as sport. Dr. Dawes was also recently recognized as the 2021 Tactical Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year.

Wayne Mosley

Midwest City Regional Hospital

Brooke M. Tuttle

Ph.D.

Brooke McQuerrey Tuttle serves as the Interim Director of the Center for Family Resilience at Oklahoma State University where she leads community-based research and translational science initiatives around topics of youth development, offender reintegration, health disparities, and children’s behavioral health. She received her MS in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Missouri and holds a PhD in Human Sciences from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Tuttle’s research focuses on risk and resilience for police officers and law enforcement families.

John Zeigler

Life.Church, Security & Campus Safety Operations

A hometown kid, John graduated from Edmond Memorial High School in 1987 and went directly into public service, serving the citizens of Edmond OK as a communications specialist with the Edmond Police Department. Lots of “Edmond” in that opening sentence, but John bleeds maroon and gray and will always be an Edmond Memorial Bulldog! John was a part of the transition from conventional call-taking and dispatching to “911”.

Two years later, John was appointed to a Police Officer position at the Edmond Police Department and served for 21 years, 1 month, and 5 days in several different areas, to include Patrol, Traffic, and SWAT. John focused on traffic specialties and helped implement several traffic safety plans and initiatives while becoming an accomplished accident investigator and reconstructionist. John also served in the Edmond PD’s Motorcycle Unit, which was hands down the best job ever. John was involved in a deadly force, active shooter encounter in 2001. He often shares his experience with others who have or are going through similar circumstances.

In 2011, John retired from law enforcement and transitioned into a full-time ministry role. Currently, John leads a team that oversees safety, security, and protection for a large, multi-site church with 35+ locations in 10+ states. John is deeply committed to our savior, Jesus Christ, and also to his family; wife Elizabeth and four daughters. John is also an avid hockey and Dallas Stars fan. In his spare time, he plays hockey for a local recreational team where he most always leads the league in penalty minutes.

Sandy Howard Clark

Advisory Council Member

I have a 22-year career in law enforcement with 14 being with the Texas Department of Corrections. In 2001 I started out as 911 Dispatcher for Mena Arkansas and then in 2008 I relocated to Texas and began employment as a Correction Officer with the State of Texas. I was promoted to Lieutenant in 2010 and then Captain in 2012. I served as the head over the Crisis Intervention Team from 2012 until I left TDCJ in 2012. We expanded the team, to include the freedom for Corrections staff to speak about all issues they may be having, not just the trauma that went with the day-to-day operations of being an officer. It has always been my passion to offer peer support to the corrections community, they experience so much trauma that the public and others that have not walked inside the walls can never understand.

About Us

Our Team

Brett Key

John "Blu" Blumenthal

Gary Berryhill

Dr. Kathy Thomas

Jill Newman, M Ed., LPC-S

Javier Bustos

Mark Calhoon

Our Board of Directors

Susan Green

Tony Young

Tara Little

Keith Bryant

Rickey Barrow

Jillian Sulley

Kristi Birk Steinberg

Wayne Story

Advisory Council

Stacey Stephens

Grant Roberts

Jay Dawes

Wayne Mosley

Brooke M. Tuttle

John Zeigler

Sandy Howard Clark

Our Promises

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