Heroes Live Forever Podcast

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

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

McLean, VA (September 16, 2026) - Sergeant Michael Christopher “Junior” Weigand’s story is one of devotion, service, and a family’s unbroken love. Eighteen years after his death, the reflections left by those who knew him — especially his mother, Kim — reveal a young officer whose impact continues to grow long after his final ride. In this episode of Heroes Live Forever, we revisit the life of a 25‑year‑old Pennsylvania sergeant who served his community with pride, cherished his family, and left behind a legacy carried forward by those who loved him most. From his service in Latimore Township and Eastern Adams Regional PD to his roles as firefighter, Blue Knight, hunter, and devoted father, Mike’s life was full, vibrant, and deeply rooted in service.But the heart of this tribute lies in the voices of his family — the grief, the pride, and the promise to remember him “until the end of the ride.” You’ll hear the words of his mother, Kim, whose reflections over the years form a powerful portrait of enduring love; the memories of friends and fellow officers who still feel his presence; and the moving testimony of his daughter, Lanie, now grown, who speaks openly about her journey from childhood anger over her loss to profound pride in the father who “put others before himself.” This episode honors Mike’s life, his sacrifice, and the family who continues to carry his spirit forward. 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

McLean, VA (September 1, 2026) - On August 26, 1994, Saint Paul endured one of the darkest days in its history. In the span of just a few hours, Officers Ronald Michael Ryan Jr., Timothy James Jones, and K9 Laser were ambushed and murdered while doing what they had always done—protecting their community with courage, compassion, and unwavering devotion. Their deaths triggered one of the largest law enforcement funeral processions Minnesota had ever seen, with more than 1,500 squad cars lining the streets in solemn tribute. Thirty years later, their families, their department, and their city continue to honor their legacy through memorials, reflections, and the stories of lives they touched.This week’s Heroes Live Forever episode tells the full story of that tragic day—how Officer Ryan was murdered while checking on what seemed like a routine “slumper” call, how Officer Jones and Laser volunteered to join the manhunt and were ambushed while tracking the suspect, and how all three left behind families, colleagues, and a community forever changed. Through firsthand reflections from the Officer Down Memorial Page, family memories, and the tributes that still pour in decades later, this episode preserves the legacy of three heroes whose courage continues to inspire. Listen to the podcast to hear 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

McLean, Va (August 25, 2026) - Officer David Charles Sherrard’s story is one of courage, character, and a life lived in service — and in this week’s Heroes Live Forever tribute, we revisit the night that changed Richardson, Texas forever. A 13‑year veteran of the Richardson Police Department, SWAT sniper team leader, and beloved field training officer, David was the kind of cop who shaped everyone around him. When he and fellow officers responded to a disturbance call on February 7, 2018, they walked into a deadly ambush that claimed the life of a man inside the complex and ultimately took Officer Sherrard’s life. His death — the first in the Richardson Police Department’s history — sent shockwaves through the city, the state, and the law enforcement community nationwide.But this tribute is not only about how he died — it’s about how he lived. Through reflections from colleagues, tributes from citizens, and the powerful words of his wife Nicole and daughters Emily and Grace, the episode paints a portrait of a man defined by faith, integrity, and devotion to his family. Emily’s words in court directed toward her father’s killer were unforgettable: “You took a piece of my family. But we’re Sherrards, and my dad proved that name means crazy strength.” At Dave’s funeral, his wife Nicole described her husband as “a man with integrity . . . a living example of what we should all strive to be.” From Governor Abbott’s statewide tribute to the memorial highway that now bears his name, David Sherrard’s legacy continues to grow. This episode honors the warrior with a servant’s heart, the mentor who shaped younger officers, and the husband and father whose love endures. It is a story of sacrifice, strength, and the kind of heroism that truly lives forever. 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