Heroes Live Forever Podcast

About Heroes Live Forever Podcast

Each podcast pays tribute to law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. behindbadge.substack.com (https://behindbadge.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Craig W. Floyd

Category

history · true crime

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 May 2024

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

118 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   “Heroes Live Forever” - the story of DEA Special Agents Frank Fernandez Jr., Jay W. Seale, Meredith Thompson, Juan C. Vars and Frank S. Wallace Jr.

   McLean, VA (October 6, 2026) - The latest episode of Heroes Live Forever honors five DEA special agents who lost their lives on August 27, 1994, when their aircraft crashed in the foothills of Peru’s Andes Mountains during an Operation Snowcap reconnaissance mission. Frank Fernandez Jr., Jay W. Seale, Meredith Thompson, Juan C. Vars, and Frank S. Wallace Jr. were part of one of the most dangerous counter‑narcotics deployments in U.S. history, working to stem the flow of cocaine before it reached American communities. Each brought a distinct legacy of service — from military backgrounds and aviation expertise to leadership roles and multiple Snowcap tours — and each left behind families, colleagues, and friends who continue to carry their memory forward. Their stories, drawn from DEA histories, ODMP reflections, and firsthand tributes, reveal the courage, professionalism, and humanity behind the badges. This week’s episode tells their story with the depth and dignity they deserve. You’ll hear how these agents lived, how they served, and how they were remembered — including poignant reflections from those who knew them best. It’s a powerful reminder that the fight against drug trafficking has always demanded extraordinary sacrifice. When Attorney General Janet Reno stood before their flag-draped coffins, she said, “They have given their lives so that you and I, and all who come after us, can live in a safer, better world.” President Clinton praised the agents’ “true devotion to duty” and pledged a renewed commitment to the war on drugs in their honor. Listen to the podcast to hear their 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 (https://behindbadge.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

2. 

   29 Sept 2026

   “Heroes Live Forever” - the story of Colorado Corrections Sergeant Mary K. Ricard

   McLean, VA (September 29, 2026) - Before she ever wore a badge, Mary Ricard wore an apron. She walked away from a successful career as a pastry chef because she wanted more — she wanted to impact lives. So she joined the Colorado Department of Corrections, worked her way up to Sergeant, and spent nine years standing the line that most people never see, between the public and those deemed too dangerous to walk free. On September 24th, 2012, at the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility she was fatally stabbed in the neck by a convicted child rapist while supervising breakfast food preparation. She was 55 years old. She left behind a husband and four children. In this episode of Heroes Live Forever, we tell the full story of Sergeant Mary Katherine Ricard — the woman who traded a pastry chef’s dream for a corrections officer’s badge, the savage attack that took her life, what happened to the man who killed her, and the voices of law enforcement brothers and sisters across the country who have been writing to her memory for over a decade. Colorado Highway 207 now bears her name. 223 reflections have been left on her Officer Down Memorial Page. Listen to the podcast to hear the remarkable story of Mary Ricard. 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 (https://behindbadge.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

3. 

   22 Sept 2026

   “Heroes Live Forever” - the story of Auburn (MA) Police Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr.

   McLean, VA (September 22, 2026) - This week’s “Heroes Live Forever” podcast shares the powerful and deeply human story of Auburn (MA) Police Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr., who was tragically killed during a late‑night traffic stop on May 22, 2016. The episode traces the final moments of his service, the massive manhunt that followed, and the extraordinary courage shown by responding officers. But the heart of this tribute lies in Ron’s life — a devoted husband, father of three, and son of a 42‑year law enforcement veteran whose quiet acts of kindness shaped everyone around him. Through reflections from colleagues, family, and friends, the episode reveals a man whose humor, generosity, and compassion had an enormous impact on others. Listeners will also hear how Ron’s legacy continues today through the Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr. Charitable Fund, created after his death to carry forward the kindness he lived every day. The fund now supports families facing tragedy, awards scholarships to service‑minded students, helps food pantries and shelters, and brings programs of kindness into local schools — a living extension of Ron’s spirit. This episode is more than a recounting of a line‑of‑duty death; it is a reminder of the enduring impact one officer can have on a community. Listen to the podcast 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 (https://behindbadge.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

Podcast Authority Score: 43 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

86

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.