USSS agents seized a large-scale Columbian counterfeiting plant.
USSS Uniformed Division Officers arrest Francisco Martin Duran in 1994 after he attacked the White House.
In 1994, Francisco Martin Duran fires 29 rounds of his SKS rifle at the White House.
Ever-vigilant USSS countersnipers keep an eye on a position.
This famous illustration shows the moment President Lincoln was assassinated.
This Washington Post front page announces President McKinley’s assassination, finally prompting Presidential protection.
USSS agents escort President Bush to a departing helicopter alongside President Obama and their respective First Ladies in 2009.
USSS agents escort President Bush and former Secretary of State Colin Powell at the United Nations.
This illustration shows the moment President McKinley was assassinated.
USSS agents arrest John Hinkley after his assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan.
President Teddy Roosevelt, the first USSS protecteee, flanked by the USSS agents.
USSS Agents ensure President Bush is safe during his departure from the Wall Street Landing Zone in New York City.
President Bush and USSS agents arrive at Ground Zero days after the 9/11 attacks.
Agents escort President Reagan to the limo moments before John Hinkley’s assassination attempt.
An 1890 seizure of a counterfeit coin press by USSS agents.
USSS agents thwart Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme from her assassination attempt of President Ford.
President Obama’s limo during the inauguration parade in 2009.
USSS agents in 1903 during President Teddy Roosevelt’s Western trip.
This is what the U.S. Secret Service’s badge has looked like since 2003.
USSS agents on a counterfeit raid in 1943.
USSS countersnipers cover the 2009 Inauguration parade route.
USSS countersnipers on post as Air Force One passes by.
USSS agents combat 21st century criminals by raiding an electronics stockpile.
The Secret Service’s star logo.
On July 5, 2015, the United States Secret Service (USSS) will celebrate its 150th year of service to the American people. Well known for its higher-profile mission of protecting the President and other government VIPs, the Secret Service actually started as the name implies—operating in secret.
The year was 1865, and our nation was reeling from the aftermath of the Civil War. One of the results of the war was a broken economy, based in large measure on undervalued or fake money. In an attempt to undermine the Union’s economy, the Confederacy had become prolific counterfeiters of Union “greenbacks.”
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On April 14, 1865, President Lincoln put into motion the solution to that problem. In a meeting with Treasury Department officials, President Abraham Lincoln gave verbal consent for the formation of a new covert unit within the Department to combat counterfeiting—later to be known as the Secret Service.
Later that night, however, President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, setting off a series of assassinations of U.S. Presidents that in 1901 would ultimately lead to the Secret Service being given the mission of protecting the President of the United States.
Over its 150 years in existence, the U.S. Secret Service’s mission profile has expanded and in every way honors its core values of integrity, loyalty, duty, honor and courage.
Association of Former Agents of the United States Secret Service (AFAUSSS) will be celebrating the Agency’s 150 years of service with a series of special events in Washington D.C. Sept. 9-12.
