Attacks 20 years ago shaped today’s FBI, its agents

Staff Reports

The morning of September 11, 2001 remains one of the most pivotal points in American history—and for the FBI. The ensuing investigation was the largest in the history of the Bureau. The attacks led to far-reaching changes in the organization as it elevated terrorism to the gravest threat against the U.S.

The attacks took the lives of nearly 3,000 people, and the crash sites represented the largest crime scene in FBI history.

Over the last 20 years, the Bureau evolved from an agency focused primarily on criminal offenses into an intelligence-based national security and law enforcement organization. Preventing...

Approximately 4,000 FBI employees responded to 9/11 sites.

About 1,000 current and former employees are registered for the World Trade Center Health Program or are in the process of registering.

At least 100 FBI employees have become sick as a result of illnesses incurred through work at or near 9/11 crash sites.

Seventeen employees have died from these illnesses.

Seventy percent of 9/11 responders have now retired from the FBI. The FBI continues to contact them to encourage them to register for the World Trade Center Health Program.

Law enforcement agencies in New Mexico reported 55 hate crime incidents in 2020, an increase from 50 reported the year before, adding urgency to an FBI campaign to get victims to come forward.

The data was included in the “Hate Crime Statistics, 2020,” a report released by the FBI on Aug. 30.

“The FBI wants everyone in New Mexico and across the nation to know that we are going after hate crimes,” Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda said. “There is no place in our communities for hate. Anyone who was a victim or a witness to a hate-related incident is encouraged to report it to law enforcement and the FBI at 1-(800) CALL-FBI.”

Tips can also be sent online at...

ANGRY CUSTOMER
Gallup, July 22

The T-Mobile store at 819 U.S. Hwy. 491 sustained property damage after an unruly customer walked inside and demanded customer service resolve something concerning his account.

Staff told Gallup Police Officer Julio Yazzie that the customer, later identified as Ray Reitzel, 55, of Gallup, entered the store and began yelling at employees. Reitzel became more agitated when the store staff said they would not be able to resolve his issue and he knocked an iPad out of one woman’s hands and it hit the floor damaging the case. Then he reportedly pulled out the phone stands from a display.

One member of the staff tried to return Reitzel’s phone when she...