Working for one of the largest federal government organizations was the furthest thing from Lito Marrero’s mind as he walked through downtown Manhattan on his way to work on September 11, 2001.
“I was eight blocks away when the second plane hit the building,” remembered Marrero, a New York City welfare fraud inspector at the time.
Fast forward nearly 23 years in time and 1,216 miles south from ground zero and you’ll find Marrero at Florida’s Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) where he has worked his entire 18-year TSA career as a TSA officer (TSO).
Recently, Marrero was on duty at the X-ray when a bag came through with an unmistakable image – a firearm.
“I could see it was loaded and the magazine beside it, said Marrero”
Sending the bag back through the X-ray, Marrero followed his training and protocols and called for a supervisor. The supervisory TSA officer confirmed the image and promptly contacted local law enforcement who took possession of the bag and escorted the passenger away from the checkpoint for questioning.
Marrero began to think about the last time he found a firearm at the checkpoint.
“It was about 15 years ago when I caught my first and only firearm—until now,” recalled Marrero.
But his shift wasn’t over yet.
Four hours later, Marrero was back at the X-ray checking carry-on items when another firearm image appeared.
“I was looking at this image and could see something in the right-hand, bottom corner of the bag,” said Marrero. “I could tell it was metal, but is wasn’t clear at first. Then, I saw what looked like a trigger, but it, too, was hard to see, like it was some kind of plastic. Looking more closely at the top corner of the object, I could make out more metal, and then I saw the hammer.”
Checking confirmed that the image was genuine, and once again, Marrero employed his training, called for his supervisor and put the proper clearance protocols into action. Once local law enforcement officers took charge of the passenger and firearm, police discovered this gun was also loaded.
“Both Officer Marrero’s catches embody the very essence of effective threat detection elements - critical thinking, professionalism and dedication – to meet the TSA mission,” stated PBI Deputy Federal Security Director Deborah Jaehning. “Team Orlando’s Palm Beach International Airport is proud to serve alongside Officer Marrero.”
“These are the first guns I have found since my first one more than 15 years ago. It was crazy,” remembered Marrero. “PBI is a good work environment. I have good support, good training, a good work environment. Having a good team around helps a lot.”
By Wayne Carey, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs