Shadow Partners
A Law Enforcement Story
by
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1. The ATF agent was not aware that he’d been observed from the shadows across the wide expanse of the hollow. A black knit watch-cap pulled low over a massive forehead, the figure had caught the investigator’s movements. Initially agitated, a sense of relief seemed to smooth recent bouts of depression.
"Gottcha," he muttered. Continuing to gaze at the tree-covered crest, his anger seethed. Scanning the bluff earlier, he’d detected the young man dressed in dark green peeking over the edge of the cliff. Shrouded in an old navy blue peacoat, he had the advantage in the thick, brown and green foliage. A large thicket had concealed their movements while he and his helper had loaded the truck. The distance from the ridge – and the sound of a babbling brook, had been in their favor. His massive chest, thick neck, and the bullet-shaped head were a contrast to Rufus Buchanan’s eyes. They were gray, lifeless — the eyes of dead fish staring up from beds of cracked ice at the local A & P. He began to move slowly Eastward. Staying in the shade of low hanging poplar and hickory branches, he crossed a small stream. Tall grass on flat ground helped to slow the water’s rate of flow in this area of the hollow. Within a few minutes, Buchanan had quietly traversed the hundred or so yards from his side of the hollow, arriving at a steep, rocky incline. 2. First signs of trouble came from Tom Brennan’s team. It was responsible for executing search and arrest warrants at Clyde Warner’s farm. Detective Dave Brazeau, Tom Brennan’s partner, called in first. "SCC 1, this is Wizard 5. We’re taking fire from the suspect, nothing we can’t handle though. Brennan’s been hit, minor wound, the medic is patching him up. I’ll update you periodically. Wizard 5 out!" Seemingly in total control while under fire, Brazeau’s voice had been steady. England was impressed. "Christ!" he exclaimed. "Who the hell was that cool customer?" An ATF agent manning the open phone line to Arizona’s CC turned and looked at England. "That’s Dave Brazeau, captain. He’s a dick with DPD. If you’re a cop in Detroit, shootings ain’t no big deal." The agent heard a voice over the Arizona line. "Excuse me, Colonel. AZ’s asking for an update, I’ll get back to you." No more than two or three minutes later, Culbert called into SCC 2. "Command Center from Wizard 1!" His voice came through the speakers loud and clear. "Go ahead, Wizard 1," answered the operator. "We’re at the primary location. Talbert met us at the door, and we’re about to make entry. Units are moving on the barn as I speak. . . ." Suddenly, the unmistakable staccato chatter of a machine gun could be heard in the background. Culbert came back over the radio, "SCC, CC — I spoke too, soon! Gunfire’s coming from the barn — I’ll get back to you." 3. "As for your misleading statement, Mr. Carmen — those were not ‘boys’! On that mountain top cabin in Arizona, were several hardcore MDL and AFGO members who had falsified applications for federal firearms’ licenses. They had stolen several thousand pounds of explosives from a mining operation in your state. From information based on evidence found in their vehicles and homes, those ‘boys’ had planned to murder one of your own members — a representative from the State of California." Carmen sputtered, "Just you wait a minute. . . . " 4. "Currently, there’s a healthy spirit of competitiveness among federal law enforcement agencies. Each is tasked with applying different statutes to meet their objectives. Through development of complex methods to meet the intent of every statute enforced, we develop a level of unique expertise and wisdom. Since many violations cross jurisdictional boundaries, we’re pressured by the Executive Branch to investigate only those in our area of expertise. If we do not, then someone else will do it. If one agency is selected to enforce all Federal statutes, we’ll end up having to contend with a National Police Force. Sadly, I believe more than a few politicians in this country’s party system are attempting to cultivate the idea." "We’ll sacrifice our investigative aggressiveness. That crucial component is the motivating catalyst for thorough investigators to look into every facet of a case. Especially, when it crosses jurisdictional boundaries that affect multiple statutes. What bothers me most, are the people who will be placed in charge of such a force. They will have it within their power to open, close, or bury any investigative undertaking. . . ."
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About the Book
Americans want to be reassured their law enforcement agencies are effective in carrying out primary missions that ensure protection wherever possible. This book epitomizes how agencies, with varying missions, can overcome adversity to achieve a common purpose.
Several years after special agent Ray St. Giles vanished in West Virginia, Manfred Kurtz is assigned as ATF Detroit's Special Agent in Charge (SAC), and Angelo Tana is his assistant. Both had been Ray's DPD partners before joining ATF. Kurtz is contacted by DPD Deputy Chief Wendell Locke. He wants ATF assistance in finding those responsible for a string of bombings and murders.
DPD sergeant Hugh St Giles, Ray's son, and Brian Culbert -- his counterpart at ATF, assemble a compelling team of agents and detectives. Together, they promptly develop leads on the bombings and a W.VA connection.
As their case expands in several directions, agents bring in DEA. Now a Task Force, investigators will tie in political corruption, a major gun trafficking ring, stolen military materials, Colombian dope traffickers, and the man responsible for Ray St. Giles' disappearance.
However, smack in the middle of the investigation further complications arise. A U.S. Senator and a White House mole strive to manipulate a Congressional subcommittee. Its Chairman struggles with his mandate — find a process to abolish ATF as a law enforcement agency. If successful, seeds for a National Police Force will have been sewn.
Strings are being pulled by people with no love of country. Corrupt appointees in Departments of Treasury and Justice, a rogue ATF executive, and remnants of a home-grown terrorist organization — all conspire to bring Federal law enforcement, under a single, powerful agency. As the task force gathers evidence, agents and detectives explore connections to all these divergent angles, leaving Kurtz and his people to sort them out.
About the Author
BH La Forest was raised in Detroit, MI. After school, he joined the Navy, and served aboard a tanker in the 6th Fleet. When his tour ended, the author joined the Detroit Police Department, where he worked at the 5th and 12th Precincts, before transferring to the Tactical Mobile Unit. By the time he joined ATF — eight years later, DPD had awarded him more than twenty citations and commendations.
Mr. La Forest served as the Special Agent in Charge in Kansas City, Detroit, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. A Senior Executive Service member, he gained exposure to other branches of government: Congress, CIA, U.S. Customs, INS, IRS, Secret Service, and Departments of Treasury, State, and DOJ.
As Chief, Firearms Enforcement in 1986, he designed the Achilles Program. Achilles reorganized the focus of firearms’ investigations, and concentrated ATF’s special agent resources on the country’s most violent career criminals.
In 1995, he wrote another national policy strategy that increased case quality, through complexity of investigative techniques. To deal with routine referrals from local metropolitan agencies, we assigned Violent Crime Coordinators in major cities. That position resulted in most special agents being free to work complex violations that often crossed into other jurisdictions.
After retirement, Mr. La Forest worked on the Brady Law’s "National Instant Check System" for firearm purchases. His detailed analysis helped establish better coordination by HQ assets at ATF, and the FBI. Special agent resources were now free to pursue quality work.
From 2002 - 2007, Mr. La Forest systemized examination and evaluation of all crime gun traces in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Thousands of referrals were forwarded to enforcement agencies in America and foreign countries. They dealt with falsified gun purchases, domestic and international trafficking in guns and narcotics, and other violent crimes.