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)
