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. 3d ago

    "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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Jun 23

    "Heroes Live Forever" - the story of Riverside (CA) Police Officer Ryan P. Bonaminio

    McLean, VA (June 23, 2026) - On the night of November 7, 2010, Riverside (CA) Police Officer Ryan Patrick Bonaminio was doing what he had always done — serving his community with quiet professionalism and a warrior’s heart. At just 28 years old, Ryan had already lived a life defined by service. He spent four years as a military policeman in the United States Army, completing two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. When he came home, he continued his service as a police officer in Riverside. On that tragic night, Ryan was responding to a hit-and-run involving a stolen tractor-trailer. When he located the suspect vehicle, he initiated a stop. The driver—a parolee with a long history of violent crime—fled. Ryan chased him on foot, but slipped on a muddy patch of ground. The suspect could have escaped, but chose instead to double back and strike Ryan repeatedly with a metal pipe. As Ryan stood with hands raised and said, “Don’t do it," the felon fired a fatal shot. His killer was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Ryan left behind his parents Joe and Gerri, his brother Christopher and his sister Nikki—a family who loved him deeply and who still carry the weight of that night. Ryan lived his life with purpose. He served his country in war, and he served his city in peace. He embodied the oath he swore — to protect the innocent, to confront danger, and to stand between his community and those who would harm it. And on that November night, he upheld that oath with his last breath. Listen to the podcast to learn the rest of the 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. Jun 16

    "Heroes Live Forever" - the story of Harris County (TX) Deputy Shane R. Bennett

    McLean, VA (June 16, 2026) - In the early morning hours of June 12, 2002, Harris County, Texas, Sheriff’s Deputy Shane R. Bennett responded to a call no officer ever forgets — a frantic teenage girl reporting that masked gunmen had forced their way into her family’s home. It was 1:30 a.m. when Shane and two other deputies arrived at the residence in northeast Harris County. Inside, the situation was dire: armed intruders were threatening a woman and her two‑month‑old baby. The deputies heard screams from inside the house and did what every cop has to do — they went in, knowing the danger, because innocent lives depended on them. The house was nearly pitch black. Shane led the entry, followed single‑file by two deputies behind him. As they moved through the rooms with flashlights cutting through the darkness, they confronted two masked, armed robbers. A gun battle erupted instantly. When it was over, the two suspects lay dead — and so did Shane. The suspect who planned the home invasion was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison. Shane was just 29 years old, and an eight-year veteran of the department. He left behind a wife and a 20-month-old daughter. On the 19th anniversary of her father’s death, she wrote, “Words can’t describe how much I miss you. You are what I strive to be like as I grow. I love you so much.” Listen to the podcast to learn the rest of the 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 9

    "Heroes Live Forever" - the story of St. John the Baptist Parish (LA) Sheriff's Deputies Brandon J. Nielsen and Jeremy M. Triche

    McLean, VA (June 10, 2026) - On August 16, 2012, the St. John the Baptist Parish (LA) Sheriff’s Office endured one of the most devastating days in its history — a day defined by courage, sacrifice, and the deadly threat posed by violent extremism. Deputies Brandon Joseph Nielsen, age 34, and Jeremy Michael Triche, age 27, were murdered in LaPlace, Louisiana, by members of the Sovereign Citizens, an anti‑government domestic extremist movement responsible for multiple attacks on law enforcement nationwide. When they responded to a trailer park looking for a suspect who had attacked one of their colleagues earlier that day, they were ambushed and killed by a man wielding a semi-automatic rifle. The murderer was later convicted and sentenced to death. Brandon was survived by his wife and five children, his parents and a sister. Jeremy was a devoted husband, the father of a two-year-old son and a beloved son. A fellow deputy captured the sentiment felt across the department, writing, “The memory of both will live forever, and you will never be forgotten.” Listen to the podcast to learn the rest of the 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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