LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – For Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputy Austin Perry, National First Responders Day is more than a date on the calendar; it’s a reminder of why he chose to serve.
“It means a lot because I grew up around first responders,” Perry said.
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Perry’s father was a firefighter, and as a child, he spent countless hours watching his dad rush toward danger when others ran away. It wasn’t long before he knew he wanted to do the same.
“Started following his footsteps, working at a fire department, volunteering and then I moved into EMS full time,” he said.
After working for MEMS, Perry eventually transitioned into law enforcement, joining the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. He says the career shift was driven by a lifelong desire to help others, no matter the risk.
“To me, I don’t think about it a whole lot because it’s just something that I like to do, I love to do, so it just kind of comes naturally to me,” Perry said. “But to me it’s honorable.”
Perry admits there’s a weight that comes with the uniform. From violent crime scenes to devastating car crashes, first responders often see what most people never will. That exposure, experts say, can take both a physical and emotional toll.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, law enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. EMS providers are nearly 40 percent more likely to die by suicide than the general public.
The CDC also reports that stress, trauma, and long work hours can lead to depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress among first responders.
“You have to figure out a way to pick yourself up and keep moving on and try to deal with that off the job in a healthy way,” Perry said. “It can take a toll on you if you’re not careful with it. It can be call-to-call every single day, so you just have to find your strengths and your weaknesses, because they will show.”
Even with the challenges, Perry says he wouldn’t trade the job for anything. When someone thanks him for his service, he doesn’t see it as a compliment but as a reminder of his purpose.
“It kind of sets me back and reminds me of what I’m here for, the people that I’m here for,” he said. “I don’t feel like I need a thank you, but it is a good reminder.”
Following in his father’s footsteps, Perry says being a first responder gives him a new perspective on life, one shaped by service, sacrifice, and the community he’s sworn to protect.
“Then when you start following in those footsteps, there is way more to it than what you didn’t realize,” he said. “You don’t realize how heavy the burden can be or how light the burden can be.”
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As communities across Arkansas recognize National First Responders Day, Perry hopes people remember the faces behind the badge and the hearts that choose to serve others every single day.
