A Career That Few Will Ever Know

Scott Stargel

Scott Stargel
Supervisory Special Agent, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and United States Park Police (USPP)


In 1987, I began my career as a police officer with the United States Park Police (USPP). My first assignment was uniform patrol on the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and then, a couple of years later, worked as a plains clothes investigator in the narcotics and vice unit. In 1993, I was promoted to sergeant responsible for protecting the national ICONs in DC then later as a supervisor in the DC Joint Fugitive Task Force. In 1996, I was selected to lead a SWAT team. From parades to Presidential protection, the highway to undercover, every day was a new adventure in protecting and serving the public.

In 1998, I began the second half of my career as a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and was assigned to the Baltimore Field Division. This role led to major criminal investigative work to include the 9/11 investigation, the DC Sniper case and ATF’s first Title III investigation as a DOJ component. In 2007, I was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent to run the case management system in HQ and promoted again to the National Tracing Center before retiring in 2013 after 26+ years of federal law enforcement service.

 

Uniforms of the Day
Uniforms of the Day…A selection of photos reflecting different assignments during my career.

Over the course of 11 years with the USPP and 15 years with ATF, I had the opportunity to serve in several interesting roles but in the end, I had the pleasure to work with some great people. As dangerous as the profession can be, it’s the good times you remember the most and I wouldn’t have changed a thing. To all who served in the past, or in the present or will serve in the future, remember, this is a unique profession that few people will ever experience. Be proud of what you do and be safe in how you do it but above all, have fun!

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