His leading target is J. “Whitney” Bulger: the second most wanted criminal under Osama Bin Laden. Warren Bamford ’80 has spent 21 years in the FBI and his workload has never diminished. It is more than a profession, however. Currently head of the FBI’s Boston Field Office, Bamford approaches the Bulger case and counterterrorism with a fully invested heart.

Having spent six years as a Marine Corps officer, Bamford joined the FBI in 1986. He has built an extensive history of high profile situations involving hostage rescues and sniper duty. Such situations include the 1992 Ruby Ridge standoff in Idaho and the 1993 Branch Davidian siege in Waco, Texas. Bamford was also special agent in charge of the counterterrorism division of the Los Angeles Office.

Upon returning to his New England roots, Bamford plans to continue his counterterrorist measures. One method will be to hold workshops for police chiefs of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

“My priorities mirror those of the FBI, which means that terrorism is at the top of the list,” he says. “I’ll also focus on counterintelligence because of the large number of defense contractors and private industries in the states that make up Boston’s territory and are attractive targets for foreign intelligence services.”

His plans do not stop there, however; Bamford also wishes to combat violent crime and public corruption. Such a heavy plate illustrates the all-encompassing choice that Bamford has made to defend and improve American safety. As one of our nation’s protectors, Bamford is among those who silently serve behind the lines of everyday activity.