 |  |  | |
An up close and personal interview with U.S. Police Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
SDUSM Mark Atterson (1976-2011)
U.S. Marshall's Service
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO MAKE A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
 |
| Military LEO |
My cousin, Terre Haute, Indiana, Chief of Police Gerald Loudermilk, influenced me greatly to get into law-enforcement. Funny, I began researching my family genealogy at an early age and discovered my 5th Great Grandfather, Josiah Earp, guarded prisoners during the Revolutionary War, and was the Great Grand Uncle of the famous Marshal Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp. I had no idea at the time that my career path would eventually lead me to working with the United States Marshal's Service. I have a number of relatives in law-enforcement past and present.
WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER PATH AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
I hired on with the Federal Bureau of Prisons in 1984, not too long after getting out of the military and was promoted to the rank of Captain within six-years. My heart, however, was in internal investigations. I retired in 2006, as a Special Investigative Agent. After my retirement from the FBOP, I worked a few years with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and the United States Marshall's Service Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation Service (JPATS), officially retiring in 2011, after almost 35-years of federal law-enforcement service.
DID YOU SERVE IN THE MILITARY PRIOR? AND IF SO, IN WHAT BRANCH OF SERVICE? IN WHAT WAYS HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT?
I joined the Army in 1974. I wanted to be a Military Policeman but was sadly told by my recruiter I was too short and skinny. At the time I weighed in about 120 pounds. After several years as an Armor Crewman in a 52-ton, M-60-A1 battle tank, stationed on
 |
| Me and President Carter, in Korea |
the Czechoslovakian boarder, I reenlisted in 1976, and actually began my law-enforcement career as a Military Policeman. My first assignment was with the 170th M.P. Company, on the Presidio of San Francisco. I performed basic duties as a patrolman and traffic control. I took advantage of training opportunities at this time. I studied Criminology at San Mateo City College and interacted with local law-enforcement as part of my education.
I was eventually assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division, 2nd Military Police Company, in South Korea, stationed on the DMZ. On June 30, 1979, I was in Korea when President Carter landed at Camp Casey. I assisted in providing security for him at the time. I actually met President Carter and the Secretary of State Cyrus Vance. I remember Cyrus Vance came up to me with his Secret Service men and began to talk to me about various things like, where I was from and if I liked to fish. It was a great honor for me to meet this man. I was part of the President's motorcade from Donduchon (Camp Casey) to Seoul, taking up the extreme rear of the convoy as the driver in an unmarked Military Police sedan with several Secret Service agents on board. There was an estimated 2 million Koreans lining the road from Camp Casey to Seoul. We drove to the Seoul Colosseum where both President's Carter and Park made speeches. I was part of the security force which guarded entry and exits into the area. I ended my military career as an International Policeman and Customs official at the Armed Forces Central Headquarters Europe (AFCENT), Brunssum, Holland. Military Police School and the other training I received in the military, as well as actual on the job experience, had a major impact on my decision to remain in law-enforcement.
WHICH, OF THE AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS YOU WERE ASSIGNED TO, DO YOU HAVE THE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY?
My heart is in education and training. While assigned to the 2nd Military Police Company in Korea, I planned, organized, budgeted, and actually set up the Military Police's first training facility. Pretty archaic from today's standards but it fit the bill at the time. I have been an instructor throughout my career. I was assigned to the Federal Bureau of Prisons as a general instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) for approximately five-years. This most definitely holds the fondest memories for me. I loved teaching and interacting with new recruits and other agencies. In August 2001, former President George H. W. Bush visited FLETC-Glynco to officiate the dedication of the Coverdell Building in honor of the late Senator Paul D. Coverdell of Georgia. What an honor to have been seated to watch him first-hand. Several instructors and I came up with a new concept in self-defense and inter-personal communications skills training. I eventually became the Bureau of Prisons' National Self-Defense Instructor. I was not only sent around the country to instruct in our own facilities but a number of other law-enforcement agencies to include every branch of the military except the Coast Guard.
 |
| Law Enforcement Students, Lackland AFB. |
FROM YOUR ENTIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR INCIDENT HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
There have been several incidents that I feel had the biggest impact upon my life. Why? Because they involved life and death situations. On December 25,1979, in Dongducheon, Korea, two US soldiers, David Medina and Reinaldo Roa, approached the MP station at Camp Casey under cover of darkness. Medina and Roa had earlier been arrested for beating up an elderly Korean store owner. They tossed a hand-grenade through the front door in retaliation and several MPs were injured by shrapnel, fire, and other debris. In the ensuing confusion, the suspects escaped. Roa and Medina were later caught after they bragged about their feat. I was was the CQ (Charge of Quarters) when this incident occurred. I was on the telephone wishing his daughter Laura a Merry Christmas when the grenade went off. I believe this was the first time I realized how fragile was my life. I have been assaulted and hurt throughout my career. Many a day I would come home bloody and bruised.
 |
| Suited up for Trouble |
My last incident occurred when I responded to a gang fight. There were not enough cuffs and flex-cuffs to go around so I escorted this huge inmate on to the elevator with a wrist hold in order to escort him to segregation. As the door closed, the inmate came off the wall and I was in a fight for my life. I was so thankful to see the fingers pulling the elevator doors open and supporting staff enter to relieve me of this assaultive inmate. As a result of this assault, I had to have multiple surgeries as a result of this incident. My right ankle is now fused with four two-inch titanium screws. I am very arthritic in my lower extremities from years of training and fights. Sadly, I cannot do the things I used to do in my younger years like run (and oh how I could run), round-house kicks, etc... I do keep in shape and work-out on a daily basis but sometimes the pain in unbearable. Throughout my career I have witnessed how brutal, desperate, and evil men can be. The serious assaults, stabbings, murders, and suicides have definitely had a profound impact upon my life.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS OR BADGES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
Again, there are several awards I have received during my law-enforcement career that are very meaningful to me. I was awarded The Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service in several areas of responsibility while assigned to the 170th Military Police Company from 8 October 1977 to 28 February 1979. The
 |
| LEO Accoutrements |
certificate read, in part, "As an Assistant Platoon Sergeant, Sergeant Atterson displayed a remarkable capacity to train, guide and motivate, producing a well disciplined platoon proven in many inspections. As the company's Nuclear, Biological and Radiological Non-commissioned Officer, he demonstrated superior planing skills by greatly expanding his activity's program. Finally, while serving as the Race Relations and Equal Opportunity Non-commissioned Officer, he developed innovative methods in presenting numerous training classes under adverse conditions. Sergeant Atterson's immaculate performance reflects the highest credit upon himself, his company and the United States Army." I was determined to be ready and prepared for any crisis at a moment's notice. I trained my squad, platoon, company, and unit to be the best they could be in any given situation. I hate to be caught surprised and unaware. The training I received, I practiced, trying to set an example for others to follow. Among the many awards I received, I have received awards for saving and attempting to save a human life. These are very meaningful to me as I can still vividly recall each and every one, even by name.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR CAREER MADE THE MOST POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON YOU AND WHY?
 |
| FBI Headquarters |
There really isn't any one person I can think of that made the most positive influence in my career. From my cousins Gerald Loudermilk and Chuck Atterson in my early days, the men I have tried to bring honor by remembering them on this site, like Bill Conley, Mugsey Taylor, Bernard Brummett, and Jake Loudermilk, who worked in Sheriff's Departments, local Police Departments, Highway Patrol, Prisons; they each brought something wonderful and unique that influenced me in such a positive way. Others include my father Lloyd Atterson, my brother Larry Atterson, Sergeant Lance Davis, Lieutenants Mark Hanley, Al Welch, Ron McCullough, Captains Dennis Wolfe, Ken Kepley, David Bird, and Associate Warden Ken Stewart. They were encouraging and set a high standard for me by their examples, a positive attitude, and their leadership. These men never forgot their roots and their hearts were with the men and women who served under them.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER?
Yes, several things. Learn your job! Know your job! Do your job!!! Communicate! Communicate! Communicate! Side-to-side and up and down, all around! Document! Document! Document!!! Be articulate, concise, and accurate. ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH!!! No matter how much it hurts!!! I used to tell my students this at the Academy: "As you are getting ready for work,
 |
| US Marshall's Office |
look at yourself in the mirror. Know who you are, what you are doing, and who you represent! GET INTO ROLE!!! Before you go home to your family at the end of the shift, find a bathroom, look in the mirror. Know who you are, what you are doing, and who you are going home to! GET OUT OF ROLE!!!"
WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP(S)?
I was a member of American Correctional Association and the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation for years. I contribute regularly to other law-enforcement agencies like the Sheriff's and Highway Patrol Associations.
HOW HAS SERVING AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU CONDUCT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AND YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE DEPARTMENT?
 |
| Hold the Course as you are always "On". |
To tell the truth, my time as an Internal Affairs Investigator did not help in making me friends or influencing people to go out of their way to invite me to parties and the like. I have several friends and people that I can count on and relate to in spite of my job. Even now as I am retired I sense the growing unfounded distrust in law-enforcement. I mainly keep to myself. I have been married twice during my career. The wives simply got sick of the hours and the stress of this type of life. I am married now for the third time to a winner finally who is very supportive and understanding. I believe I have made a positive impact on some from the letters and notes I received over the course of time from former students and associates, but my children are what really counts. I have two sons in the military and a daughter in the military and in law-enforcement.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR A ROOKIE WHO HAS JUST PUT ON THE BADGE?
 |
| The Badge of Honor |
I used to teach use of force classes to include deadly force. I knew of the confusion that existed then and cannot really begin to comprehend the confusion that exists now. When it comes down to life and death issues, a split second of doubt can cost a life...even your own!!! My advice to those who desire to get into the law-enforcement field would be to take advantage of training opportunities. Understand your job inside and out and broaden your scope to include other areas your department may be involved in and other departments or agencies which they may interact with, especially during emergency situations. Be a well-rounded, well-grounded law-enforcement officer. Set the example by our own life by being honest, sober, law-abiding, and free from debt. If there are any doubts or inhibitions whatsoever, look at another career. Law-enforcement is NOT for everybody.
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU FEEL THIS WEBSITE CAN BENEFIT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY?
 |
| Enjoying the good life. |
I believe this website has already contributed in preserving the memories of our friends and family, past and present, who chose the life of law-enforcement as a career. It's a difficult and thankless job for the most part. Many of those before us have come and gone and their memory and contributions have been lost forever. I, for my part, will continue to add family and friends to this site, not only as a memorial, but an example. What a fantastic way to honor them!!!
|
| Share this Voices on:
  |
|
TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who currently serve, or who previously served as a US Police or Federal Officer, and conveys how serving their Country and Community has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like your story to be featured in a future edition of Voices, or know someone else who may be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
This edition of Police Voices was supported by:
Police.Togetherweserved.com
For all current serving and veteran Police Officers, Together We Served is a secure, feature rich website enabling Officers to reconnect with lost Brothers and Sisters, share in the camaraderie of other Officers, network for professional purposes and to honor the service of all.
To join Police.Togetherweserved.com, please click HERE.
| |
