Secret Service Ends Protection for Jimmy Carter, Agents Remember Former President
The U.S. Secret Service (USSS) protected former President Jimmy Carter longer than anyone else in history, protecting him for 49 years and two months.
On Friday, January 10, 2025, that protection ended, following the prior day’s state funeral and burial of Mr. Carter at his home in Plains, Georgia.
Agents accompanied the former president’s body through funeral services in Georgia and Washington, DC, before ceasing physical protection duty after burial.
Carter, the longest-living U.S. president, died on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100.
“President Carter had a lasting impression on everyone at the Secret Service but especially his detail who were inspired by his public service, compassion and incredible dedication to humanity,” said Secret Service Spokesman Anthony Guglielmi in a statement.
Mr. Carter was first protected on October 8, 1975, when he became a presidential candidate. His wife Rosalynn Carter was first protected following the Democratic Convention in September 1976. In later years, USSS agents protected them jointly, until Mrs. Carter’s death in 2023.
Jimmy Carter was codenamed “Deacon” for his devotion to his Baptist faith while Rosalynn was codenamed “Dancer.”
Former Agents Reflect
Many agents who protected President Carter remembered him fondly. Their work continued after Mr. Carter’s presidency ended, as the former president made trips to global hotspots such as the Middle East, Africa, and North Korea.
Former Special Agent in Charge Bill Bush remembered the 1994 trip to North Korea, as they became some of the first Americans to cross into the country after the end of the Korean War.
“We were told by the State Department and a lot of other agencies that, 'hey, you can't carry weapons into North Korea – you can't do this, you can't do that,'" said Bush to CBS News. "My question always to them, 'tell me how many times you've been to North Korea and what it's like?' And of course nobody had ever been."
Alex Parker, who was a longtime special agent in charge of Carter’s detail, traveled to over 140 countries with the former president. They often ran together.
"He was competitive and used to try and tire me out," said Parker. "I was much younger, but he kept up."
Agents also recall fond memories of fly-fishing trips and to Colorado when the Carters wanted to learn to ski.
“It was a tough school ... but we became pretty good skiers,” said Bush.
Even as the Carter’s aged and the travel plans declined, the agents remained active in the Carters’ lives.
"At 99 and nine months, he wanted to go see the fireworks. That's how patriotic he is," said Special Agent in Charge Don Witham.