Citizens Behind the Badge

Good news for law enforcement families in Alabama! A bill to establish a scholarship program for families of law enforcement officers was given final approval by the Alabama House of Representatives and will soon be signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey. The scholarship will pay up to $2,500 per semester for up to eight semesters at a vocational or technical school, community college, or four-year university. Children up to age 24, spouses and surviving spouses will be eligible to receive the scholarships. A special license plate will help fund the scholarship program. al.com/news/2026/04/a…

Remembering and honoring a fallen law enforcement hero--Puerto Rico Police Agent Eddie Santiago-Renta was shot and killed on 4-10-26 during an undercover drug operation.

Remembering and honoring a fallen law enforcement hero--Hamilton County (TN) Sheriff's Deputy Landon Faulkner, 24, died on 4-11-26 from injuries suffered in a vehicle crash two days earlier.

A man who killed a deputy serving an eviction notice was run over and killed by a police BearCat! "Don't shoot at cops. If you shoot at cops, we're going to run you over." We need more sheriffs like this guy, please!

An amazing story of heroics and calm under pressure. The commitment to helping others never leaves you — no matter on duty or off, rank, or retired.  Kudos to my friend and colleague, former Boston Police Commissioner Willie Gross, and off-duty Boston Patrolman Stephen Borne and Newton Firefighter Lt. James Trudo. bostonherald.com/2026/04/06/cho…

Watch/Listen: behindbadge.org/podcast

The story behind the words etched in stone at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. If you’ve ever stood before the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, you’ve seen the words: “It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived.” In our latest podcast, Vivian Eney Cross shares the incredible moment those words came to her. They weren’t researched or labored over, they were a reflection of her husband, Sgt. Chris Eney, and the thousands of officers like him who have fallen in the line of duty. Vivian’s journey from a grieving widow to the voice of a movement is one you have to hear to believe. Full two-part episode out now. Search: ‘Heroes Behind the Badge Podcast’. Watch on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform. Link Below.

@GlendaleFOP12 💔RIP Deputy Hoppert

Our hearts are breaking 💔 Please join us in praying for the loved ones and friends of Tulare County CA Deputy Randy Hoppert who was shot and killed yesterday 🙏🏽 He leaves behind a wife who is four months pregnant. Suspect got taken out by the Bearcat.

Remembering and honoring a fallen law enforcement hero--Jackson County (MS) Sheriff's Deputy Michael Jimerson was shot and killed on 4-1-26 while responding to a disturbance call.

Remember and honoring a fallen law enforcement hero--Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Vernon Brake died in a vehicle crash on 4-8-26. A vehicle swerved to avoid debris in the road and crossed into oncoming traffic crashing head-on into Trooper Brake's patrol car.

Remembering and honoring a fallen law enforcement hero--Tulare County (CA) Sheriff's Detective Randy Hoppert was shot and killed on 4-9-26 while serving an eviction notice.

Watch/Listen: behindbadge.org/podcast

🏛️ PART 2 IS LIVE: The woman behind the words on the National Police Memorial. After the system failed her following the death of her husband, Sgt. Chris Eney, Vivian Eney Cross didn’t just survive - she made sure no officer would ever feel unappreciated again. In the conclusion of this powerful two-part series, Vivian takes us behind the scenes of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial: The Lion vs. The Eagle: Why a scene from The Chronicles of Narnia convinced her that lions—not eagles—should watch over our fallen heroes. The Inscription: The famous words etched into the memorial wall weren't labored over for weeks. Vivian reveals how they "popped into her head" in an instant. Forgiveness: A raw look at how she found the grace to forgive the officer who fired the accidental shot that changed her life forever. The episode ends with a moment every officer needs to hear: An active-duty officer, standing at the wall with tears in his eyes, telling Vivian, "You're the one that let me know I don't have to die to be appreciated." If you believe in law enforcement stories told with honesty and heart, this is the one you can’t miss. Listen or Watch Part 2 now. Search: 'Heroes Behind the Badge Podcast'

Watch/Listen to Part 1: behindbadge.org/podcast

💔The nightmare didn't end at the hospital. Imagine being told your husband was shot...and then being taken to the wrong hospital. The shocking reality for Vivian Eney Cross after losing her husband, a U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant: - Zero death benefits - 1,000+ hours of lost comp time - A 2-year battle with Congress just to survive Vivian’s journey from tragedy to becoming a pillar for the survivor community starts here. Part 1 of our latest podcast with Vivian Eney Cross is available to listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube. Search: 'Heroes Behind the Badge Podcast'. Link below.

@FargoPolice Happy Retirement Officer Deitz! Thank you for your service.

On Monday, April 6, Officer Richard Deitz completed his final shift with the #FargoPD, closing out nearly 28 years of service with our department and 31 years in law enforcement. Throughout his career, Officer Deitz took great pride in serving as a Training Officer for 20 years, helping mentor and shape the next generation of officers. He was also highly skilled in crash reconstruction and traffic safety, winning awards from the state for speeding and seatbelt enfocement. Most recently, Officer Deitz served as one of FPD’s dedicated airport officers. If you've traveled through Fargo's Hector International Airport in the past five years, there’s a good chance you saw Officer Deitz or had a friednly conversation with him along the way. Thank you, Officer Deitz, for your years of service and commitment to the Fargo community. We wish you all the best in your retirement.

Rossford (OH) Patrolman Clifton T. Miller died in a vehicle crash during a high-speed pursuit. Left behind were an expectant 27-year-old wife and five young children. The eldest of those children, eight-year-old Brenda, went on to become the national president of Concerns of Police Survivors. Listen to this week's "Heroes Live Forever" podcast to hear his story.

Outstanding work Trooper!

Watch/Listen: behindbadge.org/podcast

NEW PODCAST EPISODE: 💔She Was Taken to the Wrong Hospital While Her Husband Died | Part 1 - The institutional failure after the tragedy. On August 24, 1984, U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Chris Eney was killed in a training accident. But for his wife, Vivian, the tragedy was only the beginning of a bureaucratic nightmare. Imagine being told your husband is hurt, being rushed to a hospital by officials, only to realize they took you to the wrong one. By the time Vivian reached Chris, he was already gone. What followed was a cascade of failures: Zero Death Benefits: A clerical oversight in federal law excluded federal officers from the PSOB. Unpaid Time: Over 1,000 hours of Chris’s earned comp time vanished. The Tax Man: Vivian was forced to pay inheritance tax on her own marital assets. With two young daughters in tow, Vivian didn't just mourn - she fought. She went door-to-door on Capitol Hill for two years to demand what her family was owed. In Part 1 of this incredibly moving conversation, we sit down with Vivian Eney Cross to discuss the early days of COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors) and the moment she finally found a community that understood her grief. "I don't have to die to be appreciated." Part 2 will cover how Vivian helped shape the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, but you need to hear the struggle that led her there first. Listen to Part 1 now on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube. Search: 'Heroes Behind the Badge Podcast'. Link Below.