"Mental Deterioration of a Police Officer: Tracing the Downward Spiral Caused by Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy"

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has haunted the life of Gina Elliott, the widow of Brent Simpson, a police officer in Charlotte, North Carolina. Simpson, who took his own life last year, was a dedicated officer who began his career at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in 2006.

Simpson's career in law enforcement, coupled with his military service in the Navy, jujitsu training, and high school football, exposed him to high-impact activities, making him at risk for CTE. This debilitating brain disease is often associated with athletes and military personnel who experience repeated head injuries.

In the months leading up to his death, Simpson repeated his concerns to Elliott, "Something is wrong with my brain." His diagnosis, made posthumously by Dr. Ann McKee from Boston University's CTE center, confirmed this fear. McKee found lesions on Simpson's frontal and temporal lobes, indicating a mild stage of CTE.

Elliott's life was turned upside down when she learned of Simpson's diagnosis. She spends hours every day wondering what they could have done differently, had a doctor looked at the signs and his history and connected the dots. Simpson started showing signs of cognitive decline around 2020, losing interest in hobbies and describing foggy memories.

The gunman who opened fire in a midtown Manhattan office building in late July was found to have a note in his wallet stating he believed he had CTE. This tragic event served as a stark reminder of Simpson's struggle. Elliott received a text with a link to the news article, a painful reminder of her loss.

Simpson's CTE diagnosis marks the first known case among law enforcement officers. His story underscores the need for increased awareness and research into this devastating disease. Simpson's dirty clothes still remain in his hamper, and Elliott hasn't been able to bring herself to wash them.

In 2011, Simpson moved to the police academy as an instructor, teaching defensive tactics. One particular training drill, RedMan, was particularly intense and concerning for Simpson and other officers. Simpson was also diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder by a psychologist in January 2023, further highlighting the mental and physical toll his career took on him.

Elliott and Simpson obtained a same-day marriage certificate in May 2023, largely due to concerns over his illness. Their union was a testament to their love and a desperate attempt to fight the disease that was slowly taking Simpson away.

Simpson's CTE could explain his memory problems, sleepless nights, and dramatic personality changes. His story serves as a cautionary tale for all those in law enforcement and military service, highlighting the need for better understanding and care for those who serve our communities and countries.

"Mental Deterioration of a Police Officer: Tracing the Downward Spiral Caused by Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy"