Jessica & Thomas Rahn: Trading Fear for Freedom
Jessica & Thomas Rahn: Trading Fear for Freedom
Story by Cindy Reid | Photography by Leidy Lester
For detective Jessica Rahn of the Rincon Police Department and Investigator Thomas Rahn of the Effingham County Sheriff's Office CID, law enforcement is not just a career path; it is their shared vocation. In addition to their respective duties, they teach the very popular R.A.D. course.
The national R.A.D (Rape Aggression Defense) is a 12-hour, hands-on self-defense course sponsored by local law enforcement to empower women through risk avoidance, situational awareness, and practical safety techniques.
Before she wore a badge, Jessica's days were dictated by a different kind of chaotic schedule. She spent six and a half years at home managing a bustling household of five children, including two who were adopted. While her husband, Thomas, was out working the streets as an officer, Jessica was holding down the home front. Once the children grew older, she returned to college, secured an internship at the District Attorney's Office, and eventually went through the police academy.
Jessica launched her career as a patrol officer with the Rincon Police Department in 2022, finding immense value in being a friendly, approachable face for community members before a crisis ever occurred. Now a detective, she embraces a daily routine in which flexibility is the only constant. Between handling her own cases and jumping in to back up active patrol units, she remains constantly on her toes.
Thomas brings 13 years of law enforcement experience to his role as a criminal investigator with the Sheriff's Office. Having previously served with the Springfield Police Department and the Effingham branch of the District Attorney's Office, he has spent the last year diving deeply into county-level investigations. Much like his wife, Thomas thrives on the unpredictable nature of the work. His days include chasing leads, writing search warrants, interviewing victims, and following wherever the information leads. They joke that real-world investigative work looks very little like Hollywood dramas, with far less instant information and far more paperwork.
R.A.D
The inspiration to bring the Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) program to Effingham County began when Jessica was a college student. Walking across campus after dark, she noticed a troubling trend: So many young women walked with timid, vulnerable postures and their heads buried in their phones. After taking the R.A.D. course herself, she witnessed a remarkable transformation. Women who walked into the classroom incredibly shy and uncertain walked out days later radiating newfound confidence.
When Jessica joined the Rincon Police Department, she knew the program was exactly what her community needed.
“While Rincon is a tight-knit, family-oriented area, it is not immune to crime,” she says.
She pitched the program to her police chief, who immediately championed the idea and cleared the way for her to become a certified instructor.
With strong administrative support from the Rincon Police Department and the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, the husband-and-wife duo is able to host the self-defense program for local women. While many R.A.D. instructors across the country charge a registration fee, the Rahns are able to offer the course completely free of charge, with the full support of their respective agencies. The program also comes with a unique lifetime return policy, allowing any graduate to come back for a refresher.
For Jessica and Thomas, R.A.D. is about more than physical tactics. Instead, it focuses on risk avoidance and situational awareness. They teach women the vital importance of looking up from their phones, reading their surroundings, and identifying potential hazards before they escalate.
For Thomas, the true value of the R.A.D. curriculum lies in stopping a threat before it becomes physical. He emphasizes that the course's primary goal is risk avoidance, teaching women how to recognize a dangerous situation from a distance and make the smart choices necessary to avoid it entirely. The Rahns tailor their training to real-life scenarios, such as teaching mothers the safest, most efficient ways to get themselves and their little ones securely inside their vehicles.
Thomas and Jessica observe a transformation in participants, who move from timidity to confidence by the end of the four-day course. Thomas, a veteran investigator, finds passion in the program because it offers a vital tool for healing and empowerment to survivors of sexual assault, including those whose crimes went unreported.
The momentum behind the R.A.D. program extends beyond local class sessions.
The demand for trainers is skyrocketing nationwide. Earlier this year, the Rahns hosted an instructor training course in their own community, drawing participants from nearby Savannah and Statesboro, as well as individuals traveling from as far away as California and Virginia.
Because the course deals with deeply sensitive subject matter, the standards for male instructors are exceptionally strict. Any man wishing to become a certified trainer must either be a current law enforcement officer or undergo a stringent background check. For Thomas, stepping into this role felt like a natural extension of his daily duties. Having spent the vast majority of his 13-year career serving as a dedicated sex crimes investigator, the transition to empowering women through proactive defense felt like the perfect alignment with his professional mission.
The local response to the R.A.D. program has been overwhelming, proving just how deeply the community needs this training. When the first class was announced on Facebook, the entire roster filled in just 12 minutes.
For women looking to secure a spot or join the notification list for upcoming sessions, the process is simple. They can reach out directly to either the Rincon Police Department or the Effingham County Sheriff's Office to be connected with the program. Getting their names on the waiting list ensures they will be among the first to know when the next four-day course begins.
Ultimately, the R.A.D. program is designed to cultivate confidence rather than anxiety. Jessica emphasizes that the course is built around helping women live their lives with a greater sense of peace rather than living in fear. When a class concludes and the participants walk out the door feeling noticeably stronger, more capable, and deeply empowered, the Rahns know they have achieved what they set out to do.
Thomas reiterates that the true magic of the curriculum is its immediate applicability to everyday routines.
"While the physical self-defense tactics are vital, they are taught as a last resort," he says. "The real victory lies in the daily mental preparation, such as knowing how to safely navigate a grocery store parking lot with a baby, scanning a room automatically, and avoiding danger entirely."
Family Time
Through it all, their biggest fans remain waiting for them at home. The Rahn children carry a deep sense of pride knowing that their family is dedicated to law enforcement and community safety. The couple uses their professional insights to instill real-world skills and strength in their children.
Jessica recalls a meaningful conversation with her eight-year-old daughter.
“She asked if I ever felt scared,” Jessica says. “I answered honestly, admitting that I absolutely experienced fear at times. But I explained that true bravery isn’t about the absence of fear. It is about recognizing that you are scared and choosing to do what needs to be done anyway.”
The Rahn household maintains a busy schedule filled with sports, swimming, and outdoor adventures. With five children ranging from elementary schoolers to young adults, ages 7, 8, 12, 20, and 23, the family consists of four girls and one boy.
Thomas laughs, “As soon as summer hits, we instantly transform into a ‘pool family,’ spending lots of time together at the family pool.”
Jessica adds that their calendar stays full, as she coaches local softball and soccer teams while Thomas coaches volleyball. For Jessica and Thomas, balancing two demanding badges under one roof is a daily juggling act, but it is a life they absolutely love
R.A.D.
Rape Aggression Defense
Throughout this 12-hour course, participants will learn:
✔ Risk awareness and avoidance
✔ Basic self-defense techniques
✔ Hands-on training with certified instructors
✔ Realistic, scenario-based practice
Cost: 100% free
Location: Classes are typically held in the EEMA classroom at the Clarence E. Morgan Complex.
Because spots are limited and classes fill quickly, interested participants should email their information to be added to the waiting list or contacted when the next course dates are announced.
Contact email: [email protected]
