FBI Special Agent Scott Decker

I was told to grab four of the guys, load up our Suburbans with evidence collection equipment, hazmat gear, Tyvek suits, masks, gloves. We loaded up the trucks that evening. Oh, dark 30. September 12, we started heading up to New York. I think five black Suburbans in a row.

I was told to grab four of the guys, load up our Suburbans with evidence collection equipment, hazmat gear, Tyvek suits, masks, gloves. We loaded up the trucks that evening. Oh, dark 30. September 12, we started heading up to New York. I think five black Suburbans in a row.

Director Mueller and Attorney General Ashcroft gave press conferences announcing the names of all 19 hijackers.

Director Mueller and Attorney General Ashcroft gave press conferences announcing the names of all 19 hijackers.

As we went through Maryland, we went through Delaware on Route 95, the main corridor. We got to the Delaware Memorial Bridge and the big alert sign above the traffic. And usually the letters are in yellow, but in my memory it was orange. I don't know why, but I remember orange. And it just said in bold letters, New York City closed.

As we went through Maryland, we went through Delaware on Route 95, the main corridor. We got to the Delaware Memorial Bridge and the big alert sign above the traffic. And usually the letters are in yellow, but in my memory it was orange. I don't know why, but I remember orange. And it just said in bold letters, New York City closed.

We didn't know if it was an act of terrorism, so that was the first thing we had to do is prove one way or t'other.

We didn't know if it was an act of terrorism, so that was the first thing we had to do is prove one way or t'other.

He had been up in North Carolina when he got sick, visiting his daughter, and they had gone to a state park. There was a thought that he had got infected up there at one of the plants or the bad water or something.

He had been up in North Carolina when he got sick, visiting his daughter, and they had gone to a state park. There was a thought that he had got infected up there at one of the plants or the bad water or something.

We agreed to call up Dr. Paul Keim in Arizona, Northern Arizona University. He was the unquestioned expert in the country.

We agreed to call up Dr. Paul Keim in Arizona, Northern Arizona University. He was the unquestioned expert in the country.

I saw a Black Hawk helicopter sitting on the grass between the office and the Passaic River. And I said, yeah, I need a lift over to New York. So he said, jump in. And we flew over Manhattan, and we flew over Ground Zero. Doors opened on the Black Hawk. And as we flew over through the smoke, we just looked down, and it was just ashes. Buildings were in ashes.

I saw a Black Hawk helicopter sitting on the grass between the office and the Passaic River. And I said, yeah, I need a lift over to New York. So he said, jump in. And we flew over Manhattan, and we flew over Ground Zero. Doors opened on the Black Hawk. And as we flew over through the smoke, we just looked down, and it was just ashes. Buildings were in ashes.

They were just big piles on the ground.

They were just big piles on the ground.

The worst case is if somebody had succeeded in making a large amount. It's possible hundreds could die. Definitely hundreds, possibly thousands.

The worst case is if somebody had succeeded in making a large amount. It's possible hundreds could die. Definitely hundreds, possibly thousands.

The morning of the 12th of September, things were a little up in the air. I don't think any of us knew what to really expect.

The morning of the 12th of September, things were a little up in the air. I don't think any of us knew what to really expect.

We expected a secondary attack. There was rumors of a biological attack. The country took steps to get ready for it, unbeknownst to the public.

We expected a secondary attack. There was rumors of a biological attack. The country took steps to get ready for it, unbeknownst to the public.

The worst thing that can happen to an FBI agent working a criminal investigation is to solve it in your mind before you really have the evidence.

The worst thing that can happen to an FBI agent working a criminal investigation is to solve it in your mind before you really have the evidence.

I mean, this was a huge crime scene. Most people don't think of that as a crime scene, but it was a crime scene of seven blocks.

I mean, this was a huge crime scene. Most people don't think of that as a crime scene, but it was a crime scene of seven blocks.

The underlying current among government and scientists was a second wave of attack is coming, and it very well likely be a biological or chemical bomb. Anthrax at the top of the list is a biological threat agent, number one.

The underlying current among government and scientists was a second wave of attack is coming, and it very well likely be a biological or chemical bomb. Anthrax at the top of the list is a biological threat agent, number one.

We would be there ready to help in case there was a biological attack, a chemical attack, or even a radiological release.

We would be there ready to help in case there was a biological attack, a chemical attack, or even a radiological release.