Heroes Live Forever Podcast

Craig W. Floyd
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  • True Crime
  • Updated Weekly

Each podcast pays tribute to law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. behindbadge.substack.com

  1. 6d ago

    "Heroes Live Forever" - the story of North Miami (FL) Police Sgt. Carl W. Mertes

    McLean, VA (August 18, 2026) - The latest Heroes Live Forever episode tells the story of North Miami Police Sgt. Carl Wallace Mertes, a man whose courage, compassion, and quiet strength left a permanent mark on his department and his community. On November 5, 1980, Sgt. Mertes responded to back up another officer at a nearby park in the early morning hours. What began as a routine assist turned deadly when the suspect fled, fought, and then produced a hidden handgun as Carl attempted to handcuff him. Mortally wounded, Carl still managed to return fire and protect others before succumbing to his injuries. His killer was later convicted of second‑degree murder and died in prison decades later — but Carl’s legacy has lived on far longer. This tribute also shines a light on the remarkable resilience of Carl’s wife, Linda, who carried his memory into her own distinguished career in law enforcement, ultimately becoming Chief of Police in the neighboring North Miami Beach Police Department. She raised their daughters — Tammy, Amy and Carla — with the knowledge that their father was a hero, and she honored him by continuing the work he loved. The park where Carl was killed now bears his name, and the reflections on his Officer Down Memorial Page reveal how deeply he was admired: a gifted artist, a gentle soul, a mentor, and a man whose example shaped generations of officers. Carl Mertes’ story is one of courage, sacrifice, and enduring love. It reminds us that behind every badge is a family that serves alongside the officer — and that the legacy of a fallen hero can inspire long after the final call. Listen to the podcast to hear the rest of his story. Thanks for reading Citizens Behind the Badge! Please share with others and encourage them to subscribe for free to receive new posts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindbadge.substack.com

  2. Aug 11

    "Heroes Live Forever" - the story of NYPD Detective Steven D. McDonald

    McLean, VA (August 11, 2026) - New York City Detective Steven D. McDonald’s story is one of the most extraordinary in the history of American law enforcement. In 1986, a teenage gunman in Central Park fired three shots that left Steven paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a ventilator. Doctors said he wouldn’t survive the night. Instead, Steven lived another 31 years — not in bitterness or silence, but in service. He became a global symbol of forgiveness, publicly absolving the teenager who shot him and dedicating his life to peace, reconciliation, and nonviolent conflict resolution. His message, his faith, and his courage touched millions, earning him the nickname “God’s Cop.” This week’s Heroes Live Forever podcast tells Steven’s story in full — from the shooting that changed his life, to the decades he spent inspiring officers, communities, and even nations. You’ll hear how he helped dedicate the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, how his wife Patti Ann became a pillar of strength and leadership, and how his son Conor followed in his footsteps to rise through the NYPD ranks. You’ll also learn why the NYPD renamed its Police Academy in Steven’s honor, why the New York Rangers created an award bearing his name, and why his legacy continues to shape policing today. Steven McDonald showed the world that heroes are not defined by what happens to them, but by how they respond. His response — forgiveness, courage, and love — made him one of the greatest heroes the law enforcement profession has ever known. Listen now to hear his story. Thanks for reading Citizens Behind the Badge! Please share with others and encourage them to subscribe for free to receive new posts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindbadge.substack.com

  3. Aug 4

    "Heroes Live Forever" - the story of Massachusetts State Trooper Kevin Trainor

    McLean, VA (August 4, 2026) - Massachusetts State Trooper Kevin Trainor’s story is one of devotion, courage, and a life lived with purpose — even at just 30 years old. Sadly, his life was taken on May 6, 2026. In this week’s Heroes Live Forever tribute, listeners are taken inside the heartbreaking final moments on Route 1 in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, where Kevin responded to a wrong‑way driver and made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the public he served. The episode traces the events of that night, the investigation that followed, and the staggering recklessness that led to the crash — nine drinks consumed, a blood alcohol level of 0.192, and a driver barreling southbound in the northbound lanes. It is a tragedy rooted in preventable choices, and a reminder of the dangers troopers face every single shift. But this tribute is not only about how Kevin died — it is about how he lived. You’ll hear about his exemplary service at the Danvers Barracks, his devotion to his mother Barbara, his fiancée Jessica, and his four siblings, and the warmth and reliability that defined him. The Superintendent of the State Police called Kevin “the best of the best.” An academy classmate described Kevin as “the guy that you wanted as your backup not just on the job, but in your personal life, too.” The episode weaves in powerful reflections left on his Officer Down Memorial Page: messages from fellow troopers, retired detectives, veterans, and citizens who saw in Kevin the very best of public service. One tribute reads, “God sends us great men in times of great need. You were one of those men. Rest with heroes.” Another said, “You were among the best humanity has to offer.” These voices paint a portrait of a man whose impact reached far beyond his badge. This week’s episode is a reminder that heroes are not abstract symbols — they are real people with families, dreams, and futures stolen too soon. Kevin Trainor’s legacy is carried forward by those who loved him, those he protected, and all who refuse to forget the sacrifice he made. Listen now and help ensure that his sacrifice—and the sacrifices of all fallen officers—are never forgotten. Thanks for reading Citizens Behind the Badge! Please share with others and encourage them to subscribe for free to receive new posts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindbadge.substack.com

  4. Jul 28

    "Heroes Live Forever" - the story of Los Angeles Policeman Keith G. DuPuis

    McLean, VA (July 28, 2026) - Los Angeles Policeman Keith Gregory DuPuis was just 27 when a traffic stop turned into a deadly ambush that forever changed the LAPD. Shot by a wanted felon, Keith fought for eleven days before succumbing to his wounds on October 27, 1966—leaving behind his wife, Beverly, and their children Gregg, Curtis, and Toni. In this week’s Heroes Live Forever tribute, we bring listeners inside the courage, heartbreak, and lasting impact of Keith’s sacrifice. Through the voices of partners he trained, rookies he inspired, and family members who still carry his memory, you’ll hear how one officer’s life shaped an entire generation of policing. Their words—raw, unfiltered, and deeply human—remind us why the thin blue line exists and why it matters. This episode also honors the legacy of courage and compassion that Keith passed on to his son, Curt, who now rides in the Police Unity Tour—along with his wife, Desiree—to keep his father’s memory alive. Surrounded by thousands of officers and survivors, Curt rides under the motto “We Ride For Those Who Died,” knowing that his father’s death led to changes that have saved countless officers during traffic stops. As he says, “A lot of lives were saved because of my dad’s incident.” This tribute is more than a story—it’s a reminder that heroes like Keith DuPuis still teach, still protect, and still inspire long after they’re gone. Listen now, and help ensure that his sacrifice—and the sacrifices of all fallen officers—are never forgotten. Thanks for reading Citizens Behind the Badge! Please share with others and encourage them to subscribe for free to receive new posts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindbadge.substack.com

  5. Jul 21

    "Heroes Live Forever" - the story of West Virginia State Trooper William H. "Bill" Phillips

    McLean, VA (July 21, 2026) - Trooper William Howard “Bill” Phillips was just 33 when he died on July 30, 1987, in an on‑duty crash on Route 35 near Winfield, West Virginia — a loss that devastated his family, his fellow troopers, and the community he served with quiet, unwavering dedication. In this week’s Heroes Live Forever tribute, we remember Bill not only as a State Trooper and Air Force veteran, but as a devoted husband to Joan and loving father to Heather and Laura. Friends and colleagues describe him as a “Trooper’s Trooper,” the kind of man who showed up when someone needed help, who put his family first, and who left an indelible mark on Putnam County through his service, his kindness, and his character. The tribute also tells one of the most moving stories in the history of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. After Bill’s death, his young daughters held a garage sale of their toys, raising $25 because they wanted to make sure their father was honored in our Nation’s Capital. When the Memorial was dedicated in 1991, Heather and Laura were chosen to greet President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush and hand them two red roses to place on the Memorial wall. It was a moment of heartbreak and grace — two little girls helping the President dedicate the nation’s monument to fallen officers. Twenty years later, Heather, Laura, and Joan returned for the anniversary gala, closing a circle of remembrance that began with two children’s love for their father. This episode is a powerful reminder of the families behind every badge, the communities shaped by officers like Bill Phillips, and the legacy that continues long after the end of watch. If you believe in honoring our fallen heroes with honesty, heart, and gratitude, this tribute is one you won’t want to miss. Listen to the podcast to learn the rest of Bill Phillip’s story. Thanks for reading Citizens Behind the Badge! Please share with others and encourage them to subscribe for free to receive new posts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindbadge.substack.com

  6. Jul 14

    "Heroes Live Forever" - the story of Oakland (CA) Police Officer Robert W. Blan

    McLean, VA (July 14, 2026) - Officer Robert W. Blan, Badge 886, was just 24 when a routine 2:30 a.m. traffic stop in West Oakland turned violent and cost him his life. A United States Army Military Police veteran and a young father, Officer Blan served the Oakland (CA) Police Department with courage and compassion. The podcast recounts the deadly struggle in which a suspect wrested away his service revolver and shot him three times, the frantic search that followed, and the shocking fact that his killer — convicted of first‑degree murder — served only six years of a 12‑to‑life prison sentence. This week’s episode also brings forward the voices of those who knew and loved him: his daughter Michelle, who was just five months old when he was killed; childhood friends who still miss him; and fellow officers who remember his energy, his devotion to his family, and the dangers of policing in that era. Their reflections — raw, heartfelt, and enduring — reveal the profound impact of his loss and the legacy of a hero whose name is forever inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. It is a story of service, sacrifice, and remembrance that deserves to be heard. Listen to the podcast to learn the rest of Robert Blan’s story. Thanks for reading Citizens Behind the Badge! Please share with others and encourage them to subscribe for free to receive new posts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindbadge.substack.com

  7. Jul 7

    "Heroes Live Forever" - the story of Alabama Correctional Officer William E. "Bill" Donaldson

    McLean, VA (July 7, 2026) - On January 12, 1990, Alabama Correctional Officer William E. “Bill” Donaldson entered a segregation unit at the West Jefferson Correctional Institute to escort a nurse to dispense medication to an inmate — a routine act of care and duty that correctional officers perform countless times a day. In that moment, a prisoner attacked him, stabbing him to death. It was a sudden, violent act against a young officer who was simply doing his job, serving with professionalism and compassion. His murderer had previously been convicted for killing Fairfield, Alabama Police Officer Myron Massey during a 1985 traffic stop. The man responsible for two law enforcement deaths later died by suicide, closing a tragic chapter in the annals of Alabama and U.S. corrections history. Bill was just 27 years old when he died. He was survived by his wife, Jennifer and his daughter, Mandy, who was just a young child when her father was killed. Earlier this year, on the anniversary of her father’s death, Mandy wrote a touching tribute to Bill. She said, “While I am forever proud of him and his heroism, and I recognize the beauty and blessings of my life, I still wish I would have had him in my life longer than 4 years. I wish he could know [my husband] Scott and be a grandfather to my children. I wish I had funny stories to tell about him and his hair was able to turn gray. While the grief still occasionally stings, and always will, I know that he is a constant presence in my life, and he continues to live on through me, his namesake, Billy, and through Charlotte. He is a hero and a saint, and as his daughter, I will never let his memory fade.” Years after his death, the West Jefferson facility was renamed the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility, ensuring that every person who walks through its gates knows the name and sacrifice of the officer who gave his life there. Listen to the podcast to learn the rest of Bill Donaldson’s story. Thanks for reading Citizens Behind the Badge! Please share with others and encourage them to subscribe for free to receive new posts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindbadge.substack.com

  8. Jun 30

    "Heroes Live Forever" - the story of Elko County (NV) Sheriff's Deputy Denny Van Lawrence

    McLean, VA (June 30, 2026) - Elko County (NV)Deputy Sheriff Denny Van Lawrence responded to what seemed like a minor crash on Highway 93 on June 26, 1982 — unaware the driver had murdered two people hours earlier. As Denny ran the man’s license, the suspect shot him in the forehead, leaving him unable to speak and partially paralyzed for the next 30 years. As Denny’s assailant attempted to steal a vehicle and escape, two armed citizens stepped forward and shot and killed the man. Denny died on January 17, 2012, at the age of 77. He had spent three decades after the shooting in an assisted-living facility. Before and during his long struggle after the shooting, Denny inspired everyone around him. His daughter, Anita, wrote that he “lived life to the fullest;” a doctor called him “a man amongst men;” and a community friend remembered him as “a protector” beloved by local children. His death in 2012 was a direct result of the shooting, and his name now rests on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Listen to the podcast to learn the rest of his story. Thanks for reading Citizens Behind the Badge! Please share with others and encourage them to subscribe for free to receive new posts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit behindbadge.substack.com

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Each podcast pays tribute to law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. behindbadge.substack.com

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