'My wife should not have been killed.

In August 2004, a Kansas mental health worker made a home visit to one of her clients. During what would have been a normal visit, this worker was killed by the young man. The pain and suffering for her family was and remains deep and agonizing. Her husband, Matt Zenner, has made a personal quest to tell Teri's story and to raise the issue of public human service worker safety to a national level. Below are excerpts from a Policy & Practice interview with Matt:

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P&P: Thank you for sharing this story with us and please accept our sincerest sympathy. I realize it is painful, but could you relate the events of that terrible day?

Zenner: It is painful but the story must get out. There are thousands of human service workers who every day face the potential of violence and it is time to let people know. Around 4:30 p.m., when my wife, Teri, did not come home to pick up my daughter and take her to soccer practice, I began to worry. I called her cell phone numerous times, but no answer. I called my mother, Teri's father, her co-workers, everyone I could think of. I was reassured by everyone that Teri was OK, probably just running late. But my gut just kept telling me that something was not right. I ended up taking my daughter to her soccer practice around 5:00 p.m., with still no answer from Teri.

P&P: Did you suspect that something was seriously wrong?

Zenner: Yes. This was not like Teri at all. After soccer practice was over, I considered calling area hospitals. Maybe she was in a car wreck, or maybe had taken a client to the hospital and just could not call me. As I pulled into my driveway, a green Ford Taurus pulled up behind me and two police cars blocked off my driveway. The door to the green Taurus opened up and a woman stepped out with a badge and gun. The first thing I said was "It's Teri, isn't it?" and she said "Yes, is there somewhere we can talk?" I said "just please tell me she is not dead" - and that is when my daughter got out of my car. It just so happened that a chaplain was riding along that day with the local police. He grabbed my daughter and took her inside my home. The police officer began to tell me that they were investigating a homicide in a neighboring city, and that my wife was involved. I asked her, "is she OK, do we need to head for the hospital?" Her answer was, "No, I am so sorry to tell you she has passed away."

P&P: I'm very sorry.

Zenner: I cannot begin to explain the emotional rush; I was overcome with it all after the news was handed to me. My body was numb, thinking - what do I do now? The person I was just making all my future plans with was gone. How will I function?

P&P: Would you share with us the details of exactly what happened?

Zenner: Yes. Teri was on a routine visit that day. She was to make sure this client was taking his medicines, and that everything was going well. Somehow after my wife got to her client's home, he forced her into his bedroom. There he held her captive with his knife, making threats, Then his mom came home from work early that day. When mom opened the front door, she heard Teri crying. She ordered her son to get out of his room; she wanted to know what was going on. When the door opened, Teri took that as her chance to escape, but when she did, he stabbed her in the throat. He then proceeded to chase her down the hallway, stabbing her repeatedly in her back. He then went back to his room, retrieved a chain saw he had hidden in his closet, and proceeded to use the chain saw on Teri's badly bleeding body, nearly decapitating her. When finished, with Teri's blood covering his face and body, he stood to admire himself in his bathroom mirror. The police learned that he had always wanted to be involved in a rape/murder/suicide incident. My wife died that day.

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In the day that followed, I was asked to identify my wife. A rubber sheet was placed over her body, a small hole cut to reveal a tiny tattoo by her navel. That was my identification process. We had a closed casket funeral.

P&P: I am very sorry. I am sure that few of us can truly identify with your suffering. I also know that you soon began to take on the issue of human service worker safety. Could you tell us what you did?

Zenner: After Teri's death, I looked around thinking (1) I can sit around and wonder how and why this could have happened or (2) I can get up and choose to do something to turn this tragedy into a positive thing. I choose No. 2 - to make a difference, just like Teri did. I wanted to be Teri's voice: that we need to change the way social workers are protected. My wife was one of the most dedicated social workers you could meet. She had a passion for her job, and cared so much for her clients. Teri would tell me stories about how she took her clients to job interviews or to court hearings, or simply for walks in the park. Funny thing, Teri and I had numerous conversations about being in certain situations.

P&P: Were there some specific things that you did to address the issue?

Zenner: There were. About a month after Teri's death, I had a chance to meet with the governor of Kansas and discuss all the things I wanted to change. Some of the things we talked about: better data systems to track violent patients; better training for social workers who make home visits; overall improvements in the use of technology to help protect workers, and other things, including creating a true culture of safety within agencies.

P&P: I understand that you have also worked with the U.S. Congress in addressing this issue. Could you explain that initiative?

Zenner: I believe that anything we do and anyone we meet can have an impact on this issue. It is not a local issue - it is nationwide. It just has not been addressed. About two weeks after Teri's death, I had the opportunity to talk to Congressman Dennis Moore. I told him the story of Teri, and how I wanted to stop this from happening again. Since these meetings, Congressman Moore has begun paving the way to help with the protection of social workers. He funded a $100,000 grant through the Department of Defense to help start yearly safety forums with social workers in his area. These forums allow him to identify the everyday battles social workers confront. Last year at our first forum, Christina Newhill, Jack Levin, and Kansas District Attorney Paul Morrison were our guest speakers. A crowd of 500 attended the forum; and all types of topics were discussed regarding social worker safety, caseload problems, and failure of agencies making incident reporting one of their top priorities.

P&P: What was the result of these forums?

Zenner: Congressman Moore introduced HR 2165, "The Teri Zenner Social Workers Safety Act" bill. This bill would establish a grant program to provide for safety measures: GPS equipment, self-defense, conflict prevention, facility safety, etc. The bill would authorize $5 million in funding for the next five years [FY 2008-2012]. There will also be numerous reporting requirements for agencies covered under the program. In addition, the bill covers issues of training, purchase of equipment and a variety of other elements to help protect workers.

P&P: It is obvious that you are a passionate advocate for the safety of human service workers. Out of this tragedy you have taken up the banner of action. Do you have any final thoughts for our readers?

Zenner: Teri's life was cut way too short, but her death was a sign for all of us that times have changed and issues need to be addressed. We need to protect those who are out there trying to help others. We need to save the lives of our social workers.

P&P: Thank you very much. I'm sure your passion will result in improvements on worker safety.