Teens are under a lot of pressure to succeed. Here’s how to know if your child is feeling overwhelmed by their world.

The day was normal until about two in the afternoon. I was walking around the high school patrolling the campus when I received the radio call, “Officer Mike, we need you in the Administration Office.”  I received calls like this numerous times throughout the day; however, the tone in the secretary’s voice was different this time.  It sounded concerned and fearful.  This was rare and very different.

I made my way to the Administration Office and contacted the secretary.  Her eyes had fear in them, and her emotions had been shaken. Without saying a word, she handed me a note that stated John Smith’s mom called and told me he had his father’s handgun.  John had texted her a few minutes ago stating he was on campus, just failed an AP Science test, and was going to blow his head off.  At this very second, adrenaline and cortisol coursed through my veins as if my internal fight or flight emergency button had been pressed.  My thoughts: John’s threat was real, and I had to find him.

The Assistant Principal, who had already been informed of the phone call, walked out of her office and handed me John’s schedule and car description.  John was a senior, and I knew where the seniors parked their cars on campus.  A radio transmission to the school proctors was made which informed them to be on the lookout for John, avoid all contact, and to notify me immediately of his location if found.  I notified the police dispatch, informed them of the incident, and requested local units to respond immediately.

As I was walking towards the senior’s parking lot, a proctor driving in the opposite direction in her golf cart informed me she saw John’s car parked in the senior lot by the tennis courts.  She stated it was occupied by one male in the driver’s seat.  As I got closer, ...