THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 3, 1995 TAG: 9508030465
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
A day after testifying that David Koresh and not ATF agents should be blamed for the tragic outcome of the 1993 Waco raid, Attorney General Janet Reno on Wednesday again defended federal authorities during a conference of the nation's largest law enforcement organization.
Reno and federal law-enforcement agents and supervisors were criticized during the 10-day congressional inquiry into what went wrong at the Branch Davidian compound in Texas.
``They knew they would face 10 days of scrutiny, and they did face scrutiny,'' Reno told about 4,000 Fraternal Order of Police delegates and family members. ``I am so proud of those officers.''
Reno's remarks at the Pavilion drew three standing ovations from the FOP delegates on the third day of a weeklong convention. The group is in town to refine its legislative agenda.
On Tuesday in Washington, Reno was the 94th and final witness to testify about the decisions made to end the 51-day standoff with the Branch Davidians. The standoff began after four agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were killed in a search-warrant raid.
David Koresh and 80 of his followers died during what authorities said was an apparent mass suicide when federal and Texas authorities stormed the compound.
Reno presented FOP President Dewey Stokes of Ohio with a presidential commendation for his leadership, and she thanked the officers for doing ``the single toughest job of anyone I know.''
The FOP backed Reno's nomination as attorney general two years ago. Reno on Wednesday asked delegates to support increased cooperation between federal and local authorities.
``Historically, traditionally, rightly and properly most crimes are prosecuted on the local level, and we should support you on that effort,'' Reno said. ``Let's get the job done without concern about who gets the credit.''
The nation's top law-enforcement official said she saw the model of cooperation after the April 19 truck-bomb explosion in Oklahoma City that destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and killed 167.
The bomb detonated on the second anniversary of the final Waco raid.
``I went to the command center where I saw Oklahoma City police officers, sheriff's deputies, ATF and FBI agents shoulder-to-shoulder working together,'' Reno said. It was an Oklahoma City officer who found the damaged truck axle that led to the alleged bomber, she said, and it was an Oklahoma state trooper who made the arrest.
``I have never seen law-enforcement officers work together better,'' Reno said. ``Nobody can do it alone. Oklahoma City was another example of how this cooperation can work.''
Reno asked the FOP delegates to support her efforts to defeat legislation that would weaken crime- and gun-control laws passed with her office's and the FOP's backing. She promised to fight for more money to hire patrol officers.
``We have an unprecedented opportunity to bring America back to where it was as I once knew it,'' Reno said at the conclusion of her 30-minute talk. ``On behalf of every American, thank you for all you do for all of us.''
Gov. George F. Allen is scheduled to address the delegates today. The conference, the group's 52nd, ends Friday. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
BILL TIERNAN/Staff
Attorney General Janet Reno with Dewey Stokes, leader of the
Fraternal Order of Police. She gave him a special commendation.
by CNB