How the Man Who Built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Rescued Law Enforcement's National Monument
When the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial project was struggling and lurching toward failure, a phone call to Jan Scruggs--the leader of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial--saved the day.
McLean, VA (June 27, 2025) - Toward the end of 1986, the clock was ticking on a congressional mandate to build the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Project organizers were given just five years to begin construction, or they would lose their authorization. Two years had already passed and there was no site selected, no design and only $44,000 raised out of the millions needed to build the Memorial. A phone call from project leader Craig W. Floyd to Jan Scruggs, the man who had built the iconic Vietnam Veterans Memorial, saved the day.
In an exclusive interview on the “Heroes Behind the Badge” podcast, Craig and Jan share the little known story about how law enforcement’s national monument was rescued from near certain failure. They talked about the lunch meeting that changed everything, Jan’s secrets of success, and the strategies they devised that led to a prominent site and a brilliant design.
You can view the video version of the interview at:
An audio version of this podcast is available at HeroesBehindtheBadgePodcast.org or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major platforms. Just search for the “Heroes Behind the Badge” podcast.
KEY MOMENTS:
6:35 - The lunch meeting that changed everything
16:22 - Why Jan chose to help law enforcement
18:21 - Fighting for the Ellipse location
20:35 - The importance of including officers' names
27:34 - Reflecting on the Memorial's lasting impact
About “Heroes Behind the Badge” Podcast
“Heroes Behind the Badge” is a podcast produced by Citizens Behind the Badge (BehindBadge.org), a national nonprofit organization supporting law enforcement. The podcast aims to bridge the gap between public perception and police reality, providing an up close and personal glimpse at the true heroes behind the badge. Video versions of the podcast can be found at: youtube.com/CitizensBehindTheBadge. Audio versions are available at HeroesBehindtheBadgePodcast.org or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major platforms.
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