The story behind the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

In this special episode, we turn the tables on Heroes Behind the Badge founder Craig Floyd, making him the guest instead of the host. Join Dennis Collins and Bill Erfurth as they explore the remarkable 34-year journey of the man who built America's National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and Museum from the ground up.Featured GuestCraig Floyd - Founding CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (1984-2018), Founder and President of Citizens Behind the Badge, recipient of the John Ashcroft Distinguished Service AwardKey Topics CoveredThe Beginning (1980s)Working as legislative assistant to Congressman Mario Biaggi, NYC's most decorated police officerHow a simple congressional project became a lifetime missionThe pivotal meeting with survivor Vivian Ney that changed everythingBuilding the Memorial (1984-1991)Starting with just $44,000 raised in two years when millions were neededNearly losing congressional authorization after struggling with fundraisingLearning from Vietnam Memorial creator Jan Scruggs about full-time commitmentThe 1991 dedication ceremony with 25,000 attendeesCreating Police Week TraditionsOrigins of the candlelight vigil in 1989 with Susie SawyerGrowth from 125 people at first ceremony to 40,000 todayThe Police Unity Tour and its $40 million in donationsSupporting 6,000 survivors annually through grief counseling and ceremoniesThe Museum Challenge (1998-2018)20-year journey to raise over $100 millionMultiple moments of near-failure and last-minute savesMotorola Solutions' $18 million donation breakthroughBill Bratton calling it "the house that Craig Floyd built"Personal Memories & ImpactThe Griffiths brothers becoming Boston police officers after their brother's line-of-duty deathMartha Wood dancing with a young survivor at the memorialThe memorial growing from 12,561 names to nearly 25,000 todayModern Mission (2020-Present)Launching Citizens Behind the Badge during the "defund the police" movementContinuing advocacy work in retirementReceiving the John Ashcroft Distinguished Service Award in 2025Notable Quotes"If a letter of condolence would mean that much to a survivor, what would a national monument mean?" - Craig Floyd on meeting Vivian Ney"I got to meet thousands of officers. I got to meet the survivors of the fallen, got to know their families really well, got to know their loved one who died really well, even though I'd never met them." - Craig Floyd"It took a village to make the memorial, the museum and everything else we did happen." - Craig FloydHow to SupportVisit CitizensBehindtheBadge.org to sign the Declaration of SupportSubscribe to Heroes Behind the Badge podcastDonate to Citizens Behind the Badge advocacy effortsAttend Police Week ceremonies in Washington, DC (May 12-15 annually)