Jeremy Sprague

Jeremy Sprague is a seasoned law enforcement officer and fire service veteran, with extensive leadership experience as a police lieutenant for the Des Moines, Iowa Police Department. Throughout his career, he has served as a patrol officer, detective, hostage/crisis negotiator, and peer support coordinator. His progression through the ranks to sergeant and eventually lieutenant allowed him to manage a variety of high-stakes operations, including overseeing patrol units, investigating fatal traffic crashes, and leading sensitive investigations such as sex abuse cases. Jeremy also retired after nearly 20 years of service in the fire department, where he held the role of part-time fire lieutenant, supervising an engine company and medic squad, as well as directing the fire training academy.

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Jeremy has been at the forefront of numerous critical incidents, many of which have had profound impacts on both his personal and professional life. He has led officers through active school shootings, responded to child deaths, and managed the aftermath of officer and employee suicides, as well as the serious injury or death of fellow coworkers. Each of these high-pressure situations has profoundly shaped Jeremy's dedication to improving the resiliency and wellness of first responders.

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Driven by a deep commitment to his colleagues’ mental health and wellness, Jeremy created and managed Iowa’s first public safety Peer Support Program, which has since become a model for agencies across the nation. His expertise in critical incident response and training has been sought throughout the state. Notably, in 2016, he led the comprehensive crisis management and wellness strategy following the tragic loss of three Des Moines Police Officers.

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Building on this experience, Jeremy expanded his peer support model to establish the Peer Support Foundation, where he now serves as the executive director and president. The foundation trains first responders across the country, ensuring that these professionals have the support and resources they need to manage the mental health challenges that come with their line of work.

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Jeremy is a highly regarded speaker on topics such as employee wellness, PTSD, and suicide awareness, having presented at numerous national and regional conferences, including the National Fraternal Order of Police Wellness Summit, the National COPS Conference, and the National Teamsters Law Enforcement League, among others.

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Jeremy holds a Master’s of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management Administration. He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, a certified FBI Law Enforcement Instructor, and an adjunct instructor in Criminal Justice at Des Moines Area Community College. Additionally, he is an instructor for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and holds certification in Critical Incident Stress Management from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.