Jared Reston

"The Smell of Cordite Filled the Air"

New agent Walt Lamar cried out to his ancestors in the cold, Virginia woods, searching for a reason to stay in the FBI.  Their lifetimes of experience in hunting and survival not only leveled the playing field, but took him to another level to become a legendary agent. 

Of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana, and a descendent of the Wichita Tribe of Oklahoma, in his formative years Walter lived on the Blackfeet, Wind River, Jicarilla, Navajo reservations, Southern Pueblos and Oklahoma Indian Country. Both parents were longtime nationally recognized tribal leaders. Walter served a law enforcement career that focused primarily on Native American issues and as a result became a nationally recognized expert. He has traveled extensively across the nation visiting a true cross section of tribal communities, his contacts and network across tribal nations is extensive and diverse. With a passion to create awareness and understanding of the first nations of this country, he routinely exercises his network to convey a historical and contemporary situational depiction of life in tribal communities, both the beauty and hardship. In 1998 Walter was named “Indian of the Year,” at the Anadarko, Oklahoma, Indian Exposition and in 2012 was recognized at a national convention of Native American businesses as American Indian Business Owner of the Year, in recognition for his company’s work serving tribal communities. As an FBI Special Agent, Walter was twice presented the FBI Shield of Bravery for actions taken in the immediate aftermath of the Oklahoma City Federal building bombing and during a running gun battle with an armed felon. 

Walter serves on the board of directors for Native Forward Scholarship Fund, was appointed by Secretary Deb Haaland a Commissioner to the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, and is a member of the board of Directors for the National Native American Hall of Fame. 

Walter’s wife, Dr. Cynthia Chavez Lamar is Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC and New York City. 

Dan Carli

Interview of Katie Lawson

When he began taking AK-47 rounds from the truck he was pursuing, Brian Costanza didn't flinch before grabbing his own rifle and returning fire. Costanza had spent the week hunting down leads on a fugitive killer, and all he wanted to do on his day off was take his wife and children to a Halloween party. But his gut instincts and a new lead found him racing across the state, where he ultimately found himself in a deadly shootout while trapped, alone, and out of ammunition. Brian Costanza is a highly accomplished State Trooper with extensive experience in high-risk operations and undercover assignments, notably with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety and in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force. He has demonstrated leadership as a Tactical Team Leader, excelling in firearms instruction and strategic planning, and is skilled in fostering team cohesion and executing operations with precision, contributing to a safer community. State Trooper Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, Tulsa, OK June 2002 - Current Currently assigned full-time to the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in the Northern District of Oklahoma. Police Officer Okmulgee Police Department, Okmulgee, OK September 2001 - June 2002 Conducted witness interviews and gathered details regarding incidents to determine best course of action. Education: Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice May 2001 East Central University, Ada, OK Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice May 1998 Connors State College, Warner, OK Certifications Council of Law Enforcement Education and Training(CLEET) Firearms Instructor Council of Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) Defensive Tactics Instructor Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Full-Auto Instructor Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Active Shooter Instructor Law Enforcement Active Shooter Emergency Response (LASER) Instructor Oklahoma Highway Patrol Field Training Trooper Specialized Training High Risk Fugitive Apprehension (H.R.F.A.) National Tactical Officer's Association Basic Swat National Tactical Officer's Association Advanced Swat National Tactical Officer's Association Hostage Rescue Protective Security Operations Long Range Rifle Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics Air Assault Night Vision Operator Incident Command System (Level 100-300) Distinguished Achievements: 2021 OHP Tactical Team Operator of the Year 2018 Oklahoma Sheriff's Association Award Recipient 2017 Oklahoma Rifle Association Law Enforcement Officer of the Year 2016 Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper of the Year 2016 International Association of Chiefs of Police Trooper of the Year (Southern Region) 2016 National Criminal Enforcement Association Medal of Valor 2016 Oklahoma Gang Investigators Association Street Warrior Award 2016 Committee of 100 Medal of Valor Recipient 2016 Elks Lodge Trooper of the Year 2012 FBI Shield of Bravery Recipient 2012 Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper of the Year 2012 Committee of 100 Medal of Valor Recipient 2012 Oklahoma Sheriff's Association Award Receipt 2008 Elks Lodge Trooper of the Year 2007 Buckledown Award 2005 Sertoma Trooper of the Year 2004 Buckledown Award