HSI Memphis assists in security efforts for St. Jude Marathon
If there was a picture that accurately depicts the mission of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to protect the homeland and public safety, it’s floating around the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Memphis offices.
In it, HSI Memphis Special Agent Donald Letterle can be seen surveying thousands of spectators at the St. Jude Memphis Marathon, which was held on Dec. 6.
A seven-year veteran of ICE, Letterle, along with HSI Memphis Special Agents Billy Riggins and Patrick Deas and Technical Enforcement Officer Brandon McBride, teamed up with the Memphis Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies to provide operational security for the annual race which raised more than $7.5 million for the St. Jude’s Research Hospital, that researches and provides cancer treatment for children.
“The security planning was massive, Letterle said. “For HSI, I think it was a testament to our ability to effectively work together with other law enforcement agencies. The Memphis police department was very comfortable with our agents and our ability to do the job.”
Letterle and other agents involved worked the marathon route in plain clothes, helping observe the crowd and watch for suspicious activity and items.
Like other recent marathons, the tragedy of the Boston Marathon in 2013 has forced all security efforts at similar events to be reexamined. In conjunction with local officials, HSI Memphis spent weeks preparing for the marathon and stayed in constant communications with each other during the day via radio contact.
“Nobody wants another Boston,” Letterle said. “We did full bomb sweeps and made sure that if we saw any abandoned packages, we asked if anyone could claim it. “You cannot take for granted that it’s just a dropped package.”
Domestic terrorism is a constant threat, even at an event such as the St. Jude Marathon that raises money to help benefit a great cause. However, with the free event drawing thousands, the marathon was a success and was completed without any interruption.
“I think people were happy with the security,” HSI Memphis Group Supervisor JP Moseley said. “This was a huge deal for HSI personnel. It was nice to see our team step forward and help lead this effort.”
According to Moseley, the work of his team in leading this effort was a rarity from an office the size of HSI Memphis. And with it being an event to benefit kids who are battling cancer, it made the efforts extra special.
The picture of Letterle and the feeling the agents had after this mission was completed will serve as a reminder as to why HSI comes to work every day to protect the citizens of the United States.
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