FBI agents risk their lives for us. They deserve fair treatment, not political purging | Opinion
In a quiet residential area of Miami sits a largely unnoticed plaque that reads:
In memory of these two FBI agents who gave their lives in the line of duty during a gun battle at this site on April 11, 1986.
The two agents were Jerry Dove and Ben Grogan. Other FBI agents were also seriously injured on that day during a gun battle with two very dangerous bank robbers who had committed a series of violent crimes in the Miami metropolitan area. These agents died or were seriously injured protecting the public.
More recently, on Feb. 2, 2021, FBI agents Daniel Alfin and Laura Schwartzenberger were shot and killed while executing a search warrant in Sunrise as part of an investigation involving child pornography and violent crimes against children. They were also assigned to the Miami Field Office. These agents died protecting our children.
Some of us had the privilege and honor to know and collaborate with these brave Americans.
Over 100 FBI agents have given their lives in the line of duty. Most Americans don’t know their names. They are not famous. Not one of them sought wealth or glory. They just did what they swore to do. To place their lives on the line each day to defend the American people and uphold the U.S. Constitution. They died fighting terrorism, performing dangerous undercover work, protecting children, rescuing hostages, engaging in gun battles with violent criminals, arresting fugitives and performing the perilous responsibilities assigned to them.
Today’s FBI agents, like their fallen colleagues, live and work among us, mostly maintaining a low profile. They send their children to our local schools, raise their families in our communities, and maintain a modest and law-abiding lifestyle. They live like average Americans. Yet, on a daily basis, their jobs are not average.
They are the ones that Americans have assigned the responsibility to shield us from terrorism and espionage, from predators targeting children, to ferret out public corruption, to protect us from fraud, from kidnappers, from violent predators. To guard our civil rights. They are located in cities and towns across our country and throughout the world. Their work is essential to a safe and free society.
Many Americans are trying to make sense of the current effort to purge potentially thousands of hard-working, dedicated agents from the FBI. What would be the impact of the removal of so many federal law enforcement officers on the safety and security of our nation? Who will want to join the FBI if their employment can be terminated, and their identities exposed to retribution by the very criminals they investigated, whenever a new politician takes over?
And what does it say about us that we would be so disrespectful to men and women whose only purported offense was their fidelity to their oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States even if it meant sacrificing their own lives to do so?
Americans can debate and disagree about politics. That is healthy and essential in maintaining a vibrant democracy. But, regardless of one’s political beliefs, it’s important to not forget that just like Laura Schwartzenberger, Ben Grogan, Jerry Dove and Daniel Alfin, every morning the men and women of the FBI meet each day prepared to put their own lives in peril to keep us and our families safe.
These heroes deserve to be treated fairly, to not have their families exposed to danger, and to know that Americans appreciate their value and courage.
Roberto Martínez served as U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Florida during the George H.W. Bush administration. Marcos D. Jiménez served as U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Florida during the George W. Bush administration.