The Family of Slain U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry Issues Statement on the Failure of Outgoing ATF Director to Hold Employees Linked to ‘Fast and Furious’ Accountable
(Dallas) As ATF Director B. Todd Jones steps down from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, he has yet to terminate all of those responsible the botched gun running operation known as ‘Fast and Furious.’ In response to new inquiries from members of congress, the family of slain U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry made the following statement regarding this announcement and the performance of Director Jones:
“Director Jones had a clear mandate as the newly named Director of ATF after the Operation Fast and Furious debacle. His job was to clean up the troubled agency by providing much needed leadership and by holding those ATF employees accountable for the mistakes made in the ill-fated Fast and Furious gun trafficking investigation that lead to the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. Unfortunately, Jones failed miserably in both of those areas. Instead of accepting the formal recommendation of ATF's own Professional Review Board to terminate the employment of William Newell who oversaw the deadly gun running investigation, Jones chose instead to transfer Newell to a comfortable desk job in Newell’s hometown of Salt Lake City.”
“Moreover, Jones refused to exhibit leadership within the agency that has inexplicably continued to ostracize and alienate the Fast and Furious whistleblowers who ultimately exposed the secret operation after Brian Terry had been killed with guns from that investigation. Instead of praising the courage of these whistleblowers, Jones chose instead to bestow agency awards upon individuals that were found to be at fault in Operation Fast and Furious like Hope MacAllister who was the case agent of the ill-fated investigation. These actions constitute an ongoing culture of arrogance and incompetence. Ultimately, Director Jones has failed to act and correct the agency’s management problems which continue to be extremely bureaucratic and elitist.”
--Ralph Terry, Brian Terry’s Uncle and President of the Brian Terry Foundation
Agent Brian Terry, a member of the U.S. Border Patrol’s elite tactical unit known as BORTAC, was on duty when he was shot to death while tracking members of a suspected drug cartel rip crew on December 14th, 2010 near Rio Rico, AZ. Two semi-automatic assault rifles similar to AK-47’s were found at the murder scene and ultimately traced to the botched gun trafficking investigation known as Operation Fast and Furious.
The Brian Terry Foundation (www.HonorBrianTerry.com) was established to honor the memory of Brian Terry and create a living legacy in his name. The foundation raises funds for the families of fallen U.S. Border Patrol agents and establishes educational scholarships for men and women pursuing an education and career in law enforcement. The Foundation also raises awareness on border related security issues that affect the overall safety and welfare of U.S. Border Patrol Agents. The Brian Terry Foundation is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Jason Rose or Mike Scerbo with Rose+Moser+Allyn Public and Online Relations.
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