FBI Special Agent Scott Decker

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.