Mentors
Someone To Talk To
Being a first responder mentor means walking alongside those who serve on the front lines, offering guidance, understanding, and encouragement from someone who truly “gets it.” It’s about being a steady presence for those navigating the weight of trauma, high-pressure decisions, and the sacrifices that come with the job. A mentor provides a safe space to share experiences, normalize struggles, and model resilience while reminding first responders that they are not alone in their journey. It is sitting with someone who has gone through their own journey and is willing to give back from what they learned from along the way. A little wiser and healthier, with a heart that is willing to make a difference for fellow first responder.
The following mentors have been personally reviewed and selected by Nicole Nestor-Gray for their unique passions to help other first responders and military personnel.
Law Enforcement
Sergeant, Phoenix Police Department, Ret.
Contact: mpolombo@gmail.com
Michael Polombo
Mike served 30 years with the Phoenix, AZ police department, spending the last 10 years in the Homicide Unit where he supervised detective squads investigating homicides, officer involved shootings, in-custody deaths, and complex conspiracy, serial killer and murder-for-hire investigations. Other investigative assignments include the Robbery Unit, and a TFO assignment at the FBI Phoenix Division’s multi-agency Bank Robbery Task Force. During his career Mike also held assignments in Motors, Field Training, Patrol and Walking Beat in the downtown housing projects.
Shortly after his retirement, Mike and his wife Heather, a retired Phoenix PD detective, moved to North Idaho where they happily live “in the forest down a rutted dirt road three miles from the nearest pavement.” He loves spending time with his family cooking, shooting, boating and traveling.
Former Army, Former Patrol Deputy Kootenai County
Contact: arnorris84@gmail.com
Austin Norris
My name is Austin Norris, and I am 37 years old. First and foremost, I am a believer in Jesus Christ, a devoted husband, and the proud father of four in a blended family. My journey has been one of service, resilience, and transformation. From 2008 to 2014, I had the honor of serving in the United States Army. The following year, in July of 2015, I was hired as a patrol deputy with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, where I faithfully served the citizens of Kootenai County, Idaho for nine and a half years.
In 2022, I experienced two critical incidents in the line of duty that profoundly impacted my life. Recognizing the toll they had taken, I made the difficult but necessary decision to seek help. In May of that year, I attended treatment at the First Responder Wellness Center in Newport Beach, California. It was there that I rededicated my life to Jesus Christ and discovered a renewed sense of purpose.
Since then, I have been on a mission to help fellow first responders break free from the grip of post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI). Currently, I am pursuing a degree in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in trauma recovery at Grand Canyon University. My goal is to use both my personal experiences and professional training to support first responders who are struggling with the aftermath of PTSI, equipping them with hope, healing, and the tools to move forward after faithfully serving others.
Lieutenant, Rathdrum Police Department
Contact: bfriis@rathdrumpolice.gov
Brandon Friis
With over 23 years in law enforcement, I’ve witnessed firsthand the heavy toll this profession can take on the mental, emotional, and relational health of first responders. I’ve watched friends, coworkers, and colleagues as they battled addiction, divorce, mental health crises, and tragically, even suicide.
For much of my career, the message was clear: "Suck it up." But that mindset is not only outdated—it’s dangerous. It wasn’t until recent years that I truly realized the importance of mental health support within our field. We must break the stigma and normalize seeking help.
My mission now is to walk alongside fellow first responders—especially those nearing retirement or already retired—as a mentor and peer supporter. You shouldn’t have to face your battles alone. I believe in the power of shared experience, open conversations, and having a “battle buddy” who understands the unique challenges of this job.
Retirement should be a time of peace, not pain. Through honest dialogue and a commitment to mental wellness, I aim to help others find hope, healing, and strength on the other side.
Fire
Former Firefighter / Paramedic
Contact: richardsondarren@msn.com
Darren Richardson
Darren Richardson is a Mindset and Mental Performance Coach whose journey from former firefighter/ paramedic to trauma survivor and amputee uniquely positions him as a mentor for first responders struggling with mental health challenges.
Having faced the devastating impacts of PTSD, depression, and loss of identity himself, Darren channels his lived experience and professional background to guide fellow first responders through trauma, recovery, and renewal. His mentoring process blends practical mindset tools, peer support, and deep understanding, empowering others to overcome hardship, rebuild their sense of self, and realize their potential under the mentorship of someone who has walked the same path and emerged stronger.
Firefighter
Contact: NHyder@cdaid.org
Nate Hyder
My name is Nate, I’ve been a first responder in North Idaho for over 25 years. I have seen a lot of tragedy in our community and have learned to heal from it so I can remain healthy to continue to serve others. My career has taught me that looking out for each other is a priority.I’ve been blessed with some amazing mentors who have guided me through the ups and downs of life that come with the job and I’m happy to pay that forward. When I’m not working you can find me mountain biking, exploring in the mountains and spending time with my family.
Firefighter
Contact: ryanems26@hotmail.com
Ryan Munson
My name is Ryan, I’ve been serving in fire and EMS for the past 20 years. During that time I have utilized peer support and counseling to process a variety of tragedies. From childhood trauma to the loss of family members as well as losing several coworkers and friends along the way. My goal is to use my journey to provide support and show that there is hope on the other side of grief.
I believe that faith is the cornerstone to healing and strive to serve my family, community and first responders using those principals. I have an amazing wife and two boys who love to travel, camp and fish with our golden retriever.
“You can’t go back to the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending”
Military
Former Sheriff’s Deputy / Former USMC
Contact: Archer0300@protonmail.ch
Matthew Brakeman “Tracer”
Matthew Brakeman (aka Tracer) is a former Sheriff’s Deputy (Patrol and Civil/Support Services) with Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, where he was also an ALERRT instructor and CISM team member. Since 2021 he has served as a Reserve Deputy and CISM certified Chaplain for Boundary County Sheriff’s Office.
Prior to 2015 Matthew’s roles have varied greatly, to include; US Dept of Energy Security Police Officer (I/III), 13 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan from 2003-2010 as a Global Response Staff contract officer for the CIA, domestic personal protection for private clients (ongoing since 1999), full-time firearms and tactics instructor in Las Vegas, full-time volunteer with his wife at Free Burma Rangers (3yrs) as head of security in the conflict zones of Eastern Burma, OpFor role-player and pyrotechnic special effects technician for DoD and private missions agencies, SME on surveillance and counter-surveillance operations, advance work in support of high-risk operations, and many other assignments to enhance national and regional security.
Prior to that, from June 1995 to September 1999, he served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. Matthew was an infantry rifleman, fire-team leader, then squad leader in 3/5 Sparrowhawk Platoon supporting the 31st MEUSOC on his first deployment to Okinawa, Korea, Russia and Thailand in 1996. In 1997 he volunteered for the selection to 3/5 Surveillance Target Acquisition (STA) Platoon and deployed overseas twice as a scout sniper and sniper section leader. Matthew’s last deployment on active duty took his sniper team to Nairobi in spring and summer of 1999 (Operation Resolute Response) after the Al Qaeda bombings of the US Embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
Matthew and his family enjoy encouraging and training young people to go help and encourage others in their struggles for human-dignity, especially in Southern Asia.