John Magaw — former Director of ATF and the United States Secret Service USSS

Congressman Lightfoot was a member of the United States Congress and was the chairman of the committee that was charged with the responsibility of looking critically at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) after the deadly incident that took place in Waco, Texas. He and his bi-partisan committee were tasked with the responsibility of determining the root causes and shortcomings of ATF that contributed to the tragedy at the Branch Davidian Compound in Waco, Texas in 1993.

As the newly appointed director at ATF, my responsibility was to meet with Congressman Lightfoot and other members of the committee that oversaw ATF. It was my responsibility to identify the shortcomings at Waco and their root causes, including structure, hiring, training, policy, procedures, and discipline, if necessary, and share them with the committee. Congressman Lightfoot was strong, constructive, and critical, but at the same time, he listened as I answered probing questions from members of the committee. As the weeks and months of investigation passed, I had constant contact with the chairman about the status of the progress. His respect for law enforcement was apparent as we worked through the issues and needs of ATF.

So, when I was asked to pre-read Congressman Lightfoot’s first book, “Tracks In the Brass,” I did so with pleasure and honor. As a long-time law enforcement officer, I read this mystery through the lens of an investigator and was impressed with the knowledge he possessed about the procedures law enforcement must follow and the intrigue of the mystery.y.