INDIANOLA, Iowa —

For more than a decade, Daniel Defenbaugh spent his days protecting others as an Indianola police officer. What people did not know was that he could hardly protect himself.

"I was addicted to hydrocodone pills. I am addicted to alcohol. I don't feel worthy to be a dad. I don't feel worthy to be a husband. I don't feel worthy to be a first responder," said Defenbaugh.

Defenbaugh says he developed post-traumatic stress disorder from the things he saw and experienced as an officer.

"I would feel my emotions, and one of the first things I would try to do is numb them," said Defenbaugh. "I got to a point in 2020, my life had gotten so much a mess that I decided it was time to end my life."

Defenbaugh says he went to Lake Ahquabi with a plan to end his life, but an emotio

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