November 1st, 2022 – Los Angeles, CA
Today, nine (9) years ago, on November 1st, 2013, Transportation Security Officer Gerardo I. Hernandez was shot and killed while performing his public service to this nation, for the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). And it seems like just yesterday.
Two (2) other Officers, James Speer and Tony Grigsby, were also shot, but wounded—on that horrific day. These heroes put their literal lives on the line, just as they, and tens of thousands of other Officers, did everyday, ensuring another catastrophic event like September 11th, 2001, never happened again. Yet, that day, it was a different threat, but no less deadly; it was an active shooter. TSA and TSA at LAX will never be the same again.
Just as we remember—and our motto is “We will never forget”—the tragic events which created our agency, we, likewise, will never forget this tragic day in TSA and U.S. history, in which one of our own was killed in the line of duty and service to our country and the American public.
As you go about your day, not just today, but everyday, stay vigilant, be aware of your surroundings, and remember our brother who never made it home that day, so that others were able to do so.
With Love and Strength,
Hydrick Thomas, President | Mac Johnson, Council Executive Vice President | Johnny Jones, Council Secretary-Treasurer | Thomas Schoregge, Region 1 V.P. | John Hubert, Region 2 V.P. | Janis Casey, Region 3 V.P. | Becky Mancha, Region 4 V.P. | Greg Biel, Region 5 V.P. | Bobby Orozco Jr., Region 6 V.P. | Joe Shuker, Region 7 V.P. | Victor Payes Martinez, Fair Practices Coordinator | Concetta Fialkowski, Women’s Coordinator | Christopher Blessing, AFGE Council 100 Attorney