The Healing Power of Police Week: A Family's Journey After Line-of-Duty Death

The Healing Power of Police Week: A Family's Journey After Line-of-Duty Death

Author: Citizens Behind the Badge April 10, 2025 Duration: 30:31

The Harold Vitale Legacy (Part 2)

In this moving conclusion to the Harold Vitale story, the Heroes Behind the Badge team explores how one family transformed unimaginable grief into an extraordinary legacy of service and remembrance that has spanned nearly four decades.

Les Vitale shares the profound impact of the family's first visit to National Police Week in Washington DC—how the overwhelming support they received from the law enforcement community became the catalyst for their own mission to give back. From this life-changing experience emerged the Harold Vitale Memorial Fund, which has raised over $1 million to support fallen officer families, provide scholarships, and ensure that Harold's sacrifice—and the sacrifices of other officers—are never forgotten.

Hosts Dennis Collins, Craig Floyd, and Bill Erfurth guide listeners through the inspiring story of how the annual Vitale Memorial Golf Tournament has grown over 30 years, how the impressive Art Victorious statue was created in Harold's honor, and how the family continues to support newly bereaved police families by commissioning portraits of their fallen loved ones.

This episode is a powerful testament to the healing that comes through purpose and a beautiful illustration of what "Vitale Pride" truly means—standing up for others and honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.


Heroes Behind the Badge is a podcast that brings you the untold stories of America's law enforcement community, from the front lines to the final call. Guided by Craig Floyd, who spent 34 years working alongside police officers across the nation, and joined by veteran facilitator Dennis Collins and law enforcement expert Bill Erfurth, the show cuts through misconceptions and focuses on the real people behind the badge. In each episode, listeners can expect candid conversations, hard-earned insights, and powerful moments that highlight service, sacrifice, and the realities of the job. If you want to listen episodes that go beyond headlines and hear stories shaped by experience and respect, Heroes Behind the Badge by {author} offers a clear, grounded perspective on the law enforcement community.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 53

Heroes Behind the Badge
Podcast Episodes
Beyond the Badge Finding Purpose and Joy After Policing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:08
What happens when the badge comes off? When the mission changes, but the heart that served still needs a place to go?In this second part of a powerful two-part conversation, Heroes Behind the Badge host Dennis Collins co…
The Weight We Carry Breaking the Silence on Police Suicide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:51
Every year, more law enforcement officers die by suicide than from all line-of-duty causes combined.In this powerful first part of a two-part conversation, Heroes Behind the Badge host Dennis Collins sits down with David…
Steve Sund on When Cops Are Told to Stand Down [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:41
What happens when officers are ordered not to act, even as lives hang in the balance?In this gripping episode of Heroes Behind the Badge, former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steve Sund returns to discuss the growing tension…
Chris Cosgriff | Officer Down Memorial Page Founder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:47
At just 19 years old, Chris Cosgriff founded the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP) from his college dorm room. What started as a student project has grown into the nation’s leading digital memorial for fallen law enforce…
America’s Crime Crisis: Politics & Fallout (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:55
In Part 2 of this series, we move beyond the statistics to reveal the real-world consequences of America’s crime crisis. From Baltimore’s violent crime surge to the collapse of proactive policing, we uncover how politica…
The Truth Behind America’s Crime Stats (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:57
Why do politicians and media outlets say crime is down while Americans feel less safe than ever? In Part 1 of this two-part series, we expose the hidden truth behind America’s crime statistics, the shocking 44% rise in v…
Chief Joe Morris 9/11 Story (Part 1) | From LaGuardia to Ground Zero [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:53
On September 11, 2001, the Port Authority Police Department suffered the greatest single-day loss of life in U.S. law enforcement history. Thirty-seven officers never came home.In this first part of a powerful two-part s…