Scott Fleuter had it all. A successful career, a perfect marriage, and great kids. Then he plummeted from a police chief at the top of his game to a hopeless addict chewing opioid meds to chase the high and stave off withdrawals…

Take a shocking, and sometimes darkly funny, journey through Scott’s life of trauma, addiction, recovery, and hope. Witness his reckless childhood go from Norman Rockwell to Lord of the Flies. Enter the violent world of police work, where injuries lead to his spiral into addiction and depression.

Experience an unflinchingly honest roller coaster ride of shame as he wanders the freezing halls of a detox center clad only in a backless hospital gown, or lines up for the daily pee test at a 90-day drug rehab.

Learn the lessons embedded in Scott’s life story as seen through the lens of a fictional psychologist.

Benefit from practical tips and techniques that helped Scott survive drug withdrawals, crippling panic attacks, and severe depression.

Behind the Badge is raw, riveting, and profoundly human. Scott Fleuter takes us from the command post to the abyss and back again with unflinching honesty and unexpected grace. His story shatters stigma and reminds us that even in the darkest fall, there’s a way back to light.

-- Lara Love Hardin, New York Times bestselling author of The Many Lives of Mama Love

Scott’s book is a raw and inspiring testament to the grueling journey of overcoming opioid addiction while navigating the intense pressures of working in law-enforcement.  The unflinching honesty with which he portrays his struggles –balancing the weight of his professional responsibilities with the relentless grip of addiction—lends a gritty realism that resonates deeply. His vivid storytelling captures the despair, resilience, and ultimate triumph of his path to sobriety, making it a powerful read for anyone seeking hope or understanding of addiction’s complexities. The transformation to a happy, productive life shines through as a beacon of possibility, inspiring readers with its authenticity and hard-earned optimism.

Bill Reynolds, PA-C

Director of Military and First Responder Trauma Recovery Program - Sierra Tucson

Inviting, honest, and utterly compelling. Scott Fleuter is a masterful storyteller, and this book belongs on every shelf.

-C.J. Redwine, New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow Queen