Gerald Turning Jr. Email & Phone Number

On a cold January day in 2007, a doctor said three words to me that altered my life forever. I had been a cop for 12 years and was a well respected K9 Handler and Trainer. I had participated in several large scale searches for missing persons and responded to dozens of emotional crisis calls involving autistic individuals. Yet,I knew NOTHING about Autism.I began writing about my journey- my fears, concerns, failures- as an Autism Dad and started a blog titled...Bacon and Juiceboxes: Our Life With AutismMy writing began to resonate with fellow special needs parents, and I began to grow a following of thousands around the world. Eventually, I shared that I was also a cop.I began to receive dozens- hundreds- of messages from desperate families like mine, expressing concern that their special needs children would be misunderstood or mistreated by First Responders. I did my best to allay their fears, explain our job, and shout from the rooftops that...We are the Good Guys!But, I knew I had to do more. I knew that I was in a unique position as a member of two communities I love dearly. So, I went to work.I began training First Responders about Special Needs families, and I began teaching Special Needs families about First Responders. I have provided this training for over a decade and have trained hundreds of First Responders while rising through the ranks of my police department and raising my family. My son is approaching adulthood and my life's mission is as clear as it has ever been:Bridge The Gap...between these communities I love and educate my brother and sister First Responders about our families.Welcome to Blue Bridge.