Rocco Besednjak is a retired Navy veteran, former police officer, and dedicated advocate for mental health support for veterans and first responders. As the founder of Camp Hero, a nonprofit organization providing therapeutic outdoor experiences and peer support, he has transformed his own struggles with service-related injuries and mental health into a mission to serve those who have served others.

Military Service

Rocco’s commitment to service began early—he joined the Navy’s delayed entry program at age 17 while still a junior in high school, signing a contract for the Electronic Warfare program. One month after graduating high school in 1997, he departed for Navy boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois, followed by A and C schools for Electronic Warfare Technician in Pensacola, Florida.

Upon completion of his training, Rocco was assigned to the USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) in San Diego, California, where he served as the command Intelligence Officer and a member of the ship’s VBSS (Visit Board Search and Seizure) Team. During a Middle East deployment from 1999-2000, he conducted numerous compliant and non-compliant boardings in support of UN sanctions on Iraq during Operation Southern Watch. In January 2000, while participating in a non-compliant boarding in the Northern Arabian Gulf, Rocco sustained injuries that required evacuation to the United States. These injuries ultimately led to his medical retirement, as he was deemed non-deployable.

Law Enforcement Career

Following his medical retirement from the Navy, Rocco worked in various physical security positions before being hired as a police officer with the Shepherdsville Police Department in August 2009. He quickly distinguished himself as a proactive officer, receiving several Meritorious Service Awards for saving lives and numerous Governor’s Awards for impaired driving enforcement.

On July 3, 2016, Rocco’s law enforcement career came to an abrupt end during a routine traffic stop in Shepherdsville. After pulling over a vehicle driven by Taira Litsey for a suspended license and discovering she had multiple felony warrants, Litsey drove off during the arrest attempt, dragging Rocco approximately 20 to 60 feet before running over his legs. The impact threw him into a curb, causing him to strike his upper back and neck. Litsey was apprehended two days later through cell phone tracing and was subsequently sentenced to 40 years in prison, with Rocco providing powerful testimony about his ongoing pain and disabilities during sentencing.

The incident resulted in catastrophic spinal injuries, including multiple herniated disks in his neck and back. To date, Rocco has undergone eight spinal surgeries and now lives with a pain pump, spinal cord stimulator, and bladder stimulator—medical interventions that allow him to manage his chronic pain and maintain his quality of life. These injuries forced him into medical retirement for the second time n his life, significantly impacting his physical capabilities and income.

Camp Hero and Mental Health Advocacy

After confronting his own mental health challenges following years of service-related trauma and injuries including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts—Rocco made a life-changing decision: he would dedicate himself to helping others facing similar struggles. His recovery journey included discovering the therapeutic benefits of outdoor activities through organizations like Kentucky Wounded Heroes, which inspired him to create a dedicated healing space for others.

In 2019, Rocco and his wife Lauren, purchased 160 acres in Jackson County, Kentucky, and founded Camp Hero, an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that embodies the mission of “Heroes Helping Heroes Heal.” Situated in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains and surrounded by thousands of acres of national forest, the camp provides a serene environment for healing through nature immersion. Camp Hero offers free 3-4 day retreats featuring activities such as hiking, cave exploration, ATV rides, fishing, hunting (in season), and campfire fellowship.

The organization’s signature Nature Immersion Mental Health Maintenance Program combines outdoor skills training—including shelter building, knife handling, and man tracking—with mental health discussions designed to build confidence, self-esteem, and coping strategies. The camp’s impact extends beyond retreats. Camp Hero hosts specialized events such as annual fishing trips for visually impaired veterans, mentoring programs for at-risk youth, and community service initiatives. During challenging winter weather events, Rocco and his volunteers have assisted over 650 first responders and healthcare workers with transportation to their workplaces, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to supporting first responders even beyond the camp’s walls.

Operating on a model where 96% of funding comes from individual donations and grassroots fundraising, Camp Hero sustains its mission through annual signature events like the “Bourbon & BBQ Bash” and “Benefit for the Brave.” In recognition of the organization’s growing impact, Camp Hero received a $25,000 grant from the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs to expand services and enhance programming.

Since its inception, Camp Hero has directly impacted the lives of over 500 veterans and first responders and more than 200 youth, with participants traveling from across the nation to experience the healing power of nature and peer support. Rocco’s innovative approach to mental health support has garnered significant media attention, with features on LEX18, WDRB, Lane Report, and other outlets highlighting his transformative work with Camp Hero. His dedication to this mission was further honored when he was inducted as a 2025 member of the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to veteran welfare and community service.

Beyond his work at Camp Hero, Rocco has become a prominent advocate for mental health awareness among veterans and first responders. He has spoken at numerous first responder events and mental health conferences, sharing his personal journey and emphasizing the critical importance of peer support and accessible mental health resources. His authentic voice and lived experience resonate deeply with audiences, helping to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behavior among those who have dedicated their lives to serving others.

Personal Life and Continued Resilience

Rocco is married to his wife Lauren, a Pediatric Forensic Nurse at the Child Advocacy Center, whose own work reflects the couple’s shared commitment to helping vulnerable populations. Their partnership extends beyond marriage to include co-founding Camp Hero, where Lauren’s medical expertise and compassionate care complement Rocco’s vision for veteran and first responder support. Together, they have two children and recently celebrated the birth of their first grandchild in September, marking a joyful new chapter in their family life.

Despite ongoing physical challenges from his service-connected injuries, Rocco has demonstrated remarkable resilience in his personal recovery journey. After years of limited mobility following his surgeries, he made the decision to rejoin the YMCA and return to strength training—a discipline he credits with not only improving his physical health but also playing a crucial role in managing his mental health challenges. His commitment to fitness serves as an inspiration to Camp Hero participants, showing that recovery is possible even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Rocco’s connection to the outdoors remains strong, as evidenced by his continued participation in hunting and fishing activities. In 2022, he demonstrated his enduring outdoor skills by successfully harvesting a 175-inch velvet buck, a testament to both his abilities and his determination not to let his injuries define his limitations. These personal experiences inform his work with Camp Hero, allowing him to authentically connect with participants who are navigating their own journeys toward healing and rediscovering their sense of purpose.

Despite the chronic pain and physical limitations that remain part of his daily life, Rocco continues to serve his community and improve the lives of others, embodying the resilience and selflessness that have defined his entire life of service. His story serves as a powerful reminder that heroes are not defined by their absence of struggle, but by their willingness to transform adversity into purpose.

Rocco Besednjak’s story is one of courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to serving others even when faced with tremendous personal adversity. From the decks of a Navy destroyer to the streets as a police officer to the trails of Camp Hero, he has consistently placed the needs of others above his own, creating lasting positive change in the lives of hundreds of veterans, first responders, and youth. Through his work, he proves that the greatest service often comes from those who have faced the deepest challenges and emerged with a mission to lift others.