The Weight We Carry Breaking the Silence on Police Suicide

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 Berez, Dave Howe, Bill Erfurth, and Craig Floyd to confront the silent epidemic of stress, trauma, and loss inside police culture.

They discuss why suicide remains the most painful taboo in law enforcement, what it means to carry invisible weight, and how small acts of connection and leadership can save lives.

This episode is not about statistics—it’s about the people behind them.

Guests:

• David Berez (author, retired police lieutenant)
• Dave Howe (U.S. Army Lt. Colonel, Comfort, Peace & Freedom Foundation)
• Bill Erfurth (retired Miami-Dade detective, filmmaker)
• Craig Floyd (Citizens Behind the Badge)

Topics include:

• The true scope of suicide in law enforcement
• How silence and stigma cost lives
• Why awareness isn’t enough
• The first steps toward real cultural change

Presented by: CitizensBehindTheBadge.org

Podcast Series: Heroes Behind the Badge

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Opening Story: The Final Call
• 03:30 – The Hidden Numbers No One Mentions
• 07:00 – Why This Conversation Matters
• 14:40 – A Plan for a Joyful Life
• 17:20 – Gratitude and the Grass Metaphor
• 20:15 – From Trauma to Purpose

#HeroesBehindTheBadge #PoliceMentalHealth #LawEnforcement #OfficerWellness #FirstResponder #PoliceSuicideAwareness #BehindTheBadge #MentalHealthMatters #ThinBlueLine #FirstResponderSupport