The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

OFFICER OF THE MONTH - NOVEMBER 1996

SPECIAL AGENT STEVE MARTIN
BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Steve Martin, an undercover special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, steeled himself and stepped into the jail. He had to tell the members of the violent Warlocks motorcycle gang that he was the reason they were behind bars. Special Agent Martin wasn't prepared for the response he got. The leader of the gang, a guy named "Spike," tearfully replied, "Man, I would've took a bullet for you. I can't believe you did this to me."

Steve Martin's career in law enforcement began in 1987. That's when the 30-year-old Army captain walked into the Miami ATF Office and applied for a job. It was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. He was ready to be a law enforcement officer. But the people at ATF weren't so sure. The question was how would a straight-laced, clean-cut, West Point graduate, whose specialty was Apache helicopters, deal with the low lifes associated with drug dealing and gun running.

They decided to give it a try — and didn't have to wait long for results. In 1989, he went undercover and made a successful case against the Spangler posse, a violent Jamaican gang.

For the next 18 months, Special Agent Martin would ingratiate himself to Spike Ingrao, president of the notorious Warlocks motorcycle gang. He became Spike's best friend and confidante. Agent Martin was so successful that he was even allowed to start his own chapter in the gang. Of course, all the members of his chapter were undercover cops. When they made their case and the gang was taken down, 123 arrests were made. All were charged with an assortment of violent and drug-related crimes, and all were convicted. The rest of Agent Martin's career has been filled with similar stories of dedication and courage.

Mike Hegerfeld, Steve's boss, describes ATF's role as "going after the worst of the worst violent criminals." As for Special Agent Martin, he says, "Steve is fearless, and has the ability to win everyone's trust. He does this by keeping his word…. He is the best undercover agent, bar none, I've ever seen in 26 years of police work."


Located in the nation's capital, the NLEOMF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America's law enforcement officers. The NLEOMF established the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in 1991. The NLEOMF Officer of the Month Program, established in 1996, recognizes federal, state and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.