he is a 15-year veteran of the force who has lost three loved ones to violence now this milwaukee police officer that you're about to meet is sharing his story of pain and trauma as fox 6's aaron mabin explains he uses the tragedy to build better relationships between the department and the people that they serve hot chocolate hot chocolate a sweet treat gentlemen hot chocolate have a hot chocolate hand delivered by milwaukee police officer ronald edwards during a recent event at red arrow park kind of jealous because i want to partake in some of the hot chocolate too but kids first there you go for this seasoned officer these types of connections are rewarding when you become a police officer you always say i want to be part of the community i want to help the community edwards says he knew he wanted to become a police officer since he was a boy television drew him to the badge there were shows like the rookies they used to come on swat used to come on tv you know tj hooker shows like that the journey to becoming the police officer he is today is one filled with heavy heartache you just don't expect tragedy to occur one after the other in 2001 edwards was a volunteer auxiliary officer when his brother mario mallet died after a struggle with police the death of my first brother came as a shock it was a lot to take on at the time he pushed through that painful time to become a sworn member of the department then in 2008 another setback his brother xavier mallett was killed by an off-duty officer in georgia an incident had occurred with him and my brother in which my brother had ended up losing his life edwards says he contemplated leaving law enforcement but a conversation all the available edwards found healing in serving i use it as a driving tool to want to be out there to want to help people what i do is think about an individual when i have an encounter with them is my life is a story their life is a story he shares his story and perspective as an instructor within the milwaukee police department teaching both veteran police officers and young cadets even though i'm working with other police officers i still have an effect on the community because i'm teaching them something that they have to utilize once they leave this building an important operation as police and the community work to strengthen relations we have to dig down and try and understand each other officer edwards turning his tragedy into a personal mission to serve others with respect and compassion when you see a smile on a person's face it's always a positive thing in milwaukee aaron mavin fox 6 news erin thank you in fact edwards says he works to start every day with a new and positive attitude as if it's his first day out of the police