THE DAY EVERYTHING CHANGED
On December 20, 2024, Jake and his service K9, HALO, were struck by a hit-and-run driver traveling through a crosswalk.
Jake suffered devastating injuries that resulted in permanent disabilities.
HALO was also seriously injured.
Jake and HALO's life altering attack began a new lifetime process of treatment, rehabilitation, and recover, while ending his firefighting career as he had known.
For someone who had spent his career helping other people through emergencies, suddenly becoming the person who needed help was a profound change.
Jake suddenly experienced emergency response, medical care, the criminal justice system, disability, and government bureaucracy from a personal space while being forced to medically retire.
It changed him.
But it did not defeat him.
ANOTHER FIGHT
A 15 month disability benefit process required persistence through an unimaginable period of recovery.
Jake continued fighting and ultimately prevailed in his appeal after being denied his righteous disability benefits, twice.
Jake brought a corrupt, $10-billion-dollar pension plan down to its knees on behalf of every disabled first responder in Colorado. No one fights as hard as Jake.
First responders spend their careers being told that if they are injured, the systems they paid into will be there when they need them.
Jake recognizes that the government has an obligation to keep that promise.
His experience strengthened his commitment to advocating for disabled first responders and others who find themselves facing powerful institutions alone. Jake was the only First Responder in history to have won the State-Run pension plan benefits case. With Jakes incredible commitment to serving others, he has become recognized in the disability community
He has extensively participated in research studies related to severe trauma recovery involving medical and research professionals to better understand these injuries. As both Jake and HALO suffered serious injuries, they are able to lend information in this arena.
TURNING RECOVERY INTO PURPOSE
Jake continues working through the effects of severe trauma.
Rather than allowing that experience to end his public service, he has looked for ways his recovery can help others.
He has participated in research related to severe trauma recovery involving medical and research professionals working to better understand injuries like those he experienced.
Jake hopes what researchers learn from people like him can improve treatment for future trauma survivors, service members, first responders and families facing similar challenges.
What happened to Jake changed his life.
It did not change his desire to serve.
JAKE & HALO
TWO SURVIVORS. ONE INCREDIBLE BOND.
HALO isn't simply Jake's dog.
She is his partner.
Their bond was already strong before December 20, 2024.
After that day, it became something even deeper.
Jake and HALO were together when a hit-and-run driver struck them in a crosswalk.
Both were badly injured.
Both survived.
And both began the difficult process of recovery together.
HALO'S FIGHT
HALO suffered serious injuries in the collision and required extensive veterinary treatment.
Jake refused to give up on her.
Her treatment and recovery required tens of thousands of dollars in veterinary care and significant personal sacrifice.
But HALO had been there for Jake.
Jake was going to be there for HALO.
Today, she remains beside him.
Not simply as a service K9, but as a partner who experienced the same traumatic event and walked the road back with him.
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RECOVERY TOGETHER
There are parts of recovery medicine can measure.
There are other parts it cannot.
For Jake, HALO has been part of both.
She has been beside him through the physical challenges, difficult days and adjustment to a life neither of them expected.
Their story represents something Jake believes deeply:
We are strongest when we refuse to leave each other behind.
That lesson applies to families.
It applies to neighborhoods.
And Jake believes it should apply to the community we build together.