Heroes Behind the Badge4 Jun 2025

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 Guest

Craig 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 Award

Key Topics Covered

The Beginning (1980s)

Working as legislative assistant to Congressman Mario Biaggi, NYC's most decorated police officer
How a simple congressional project became a lifetime mission
The pivotal meeting with survivor Vivian Ney that changed everything

Building the Memorial (1984-1991)

Starting with just $44,000 raised in two years when millions were needed
Nearly losing congressional authorization after struggling with fundraising
Learning from Vietnam Memorial creator Jan Scruggs about full-time commitment
The 1991 dedication ceremony with 25,000 attendees

Creating Police Week Traditions

Origins of the candlelight vigil in 1989 with Susie Sawyer
Growth from 125 people at first ceremony to 40,000 today
The Police Unity Tour and its $40 million in donations
Supporting 6,000 survivors annually through grief counseling and ceremonies

The Museum Challenge (1998-2018)

20-year journey to raise over $100 million
Multiple moments of near-failure and last-minute saves
Motorola Solutions' $18 million donation breakthrough
Bill Bratton calling it "the house that Craig Floyd built"

Personal Memories & Impact

The Griffiths brothers becoming Boston police officers after their brother's line-of-duty death
Martha Wood dancing with a young survivor at the memorial
The memorial growing from 12,561 names to nearly 25,000 today

Modern Mission (2020-Present)

Launching Citizens Behind the Badge during the "defund the police" movement
Continuing advocacy work in retirement
Receiving the John Ashcroft Distinguished Service Award in 2025

Notable 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 Floyd

How to Support

Visit CitizensBehindtheBadge.org to sign the Declaration of Support
Subscribe to Heroes Behind the Badge podcast
Donate to Citizens Behind the Badge advocacy efforts
Attend Police Week ceremonies in Washington, DC (May 12-15 annually)

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