Ep 4. Rookie Mistake

In the fifth season of the gripping true crime series, Fatal Vows, the episode titled "Rookie Mistake" tells the story of a young couple whose promising future is cut short by a shocking act of violence. Set in Johnston, Iowa, this episode is a harrowing tale of love turned deadly.

The episode opens with a glimpse of the picturesque suburbia that was the setting for this tragic story. As we see a couple in their early twenties, Derek and Makayla, exchange their vows on their wedding day, it seems like a joyful union marked by love and happiness. The couple met through their jobs in law enforcement and shared a deep passion for public service. Derek, a former military serviceman, had just joined the Johnston Police Department, while Makayla was a deputy sheriff in a neighboring county.

Their first months of marriage were uneventful, according to friends and family, who described them as a contented couple who enjoyed their jobs and hanging out with their pets. But things took a dark turn one night when a 911 call came in from a house in the couple's neighborhood. Dispatched to the scene, Derek and his partner found an intoxicated man who had broken into his ex-girlfriend's house. The suspect was belligerent and combative, and the officers had to use force to subdue him and take him into custody.

But that night, something changed in Derek. He seemed agitated and angry, unable to shake off the adrenaline rush of the chase. His partner noticed that he was behaving erratically and even used excessive force when handcuffing a suspect. Over the next few weeks, Derek's behavior continued to deteriorate. He became moody, distant, and short-tempered, often snapping at Makayla over minor things.

As we hear from friends and colleagues, Derek's transformation shocked those who had known him as a well-mannered, friendly guy. They wondered if the stress of his new job was getting to him, or if there was something deeper going on. Makayla, too, sensed that something was off with her husband. She tried to talk to him, but he brushed off her concerns, insisting that he was just tired or stressed.

One day, Makayla needed to work a shift at the county jail, leaving Derek at home alone with their dogs. When she returned, she found her husband lying on the couch, unresponsive. Panicked, she called 911 and tried to perform CPR, but it was too late. Derek had died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The investigation that followed revealed a shocking web of deceit and betrayal. As we hear from detectives, it turned out that Derek had been struggling with depression and anxiety for months, but had kept it hidden from his wife and colleagues. He had also been secretly abusing steroids, which had heightened his aggression and mood swings. The final straw came on the night of the 911 call, when Derek had seen his own reflection in the suspect's eyes. Faced with the realization that he had become the kind of cop he despised - violent, abusive, and corrupt - Derek had lost all hope and decided to end his life.

The aftermath of Derek's suicide was devastating for Makayla and their families. As we see in emotional interviews, they struggled to understand how this could have happened. Some blamed Makayla for not recognizing the signs of Derek's mental breakdown, while others blamed the police department for not offering enough support and counseling to their officers.

Ultimately, "Rookie Mistake" is a cautionary tale about the toll that law enforcement can take on those who choose to serve and protect. It shows how even the most promising, dedicated officers can be pushed to the brink by the stress, trauma, and violence they encounter on the job. And it reminds us that the cost of that sacrifice can be unbearable for those left behind.