Written by Gabriel Kranz-Danet
LEAP students recently had the opportunity to host former FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs at the Walker Education Center! Several students had attended a similar talk with the World Affairs Council earlier in the semester, and we were all eager to hear from him again.
To start off the evening, we enjoyed a reception complete with delicious food and plenty of excited conversation! During the reception many attendees visited the Sam Houston Memorial Museum’s Annual Photo Contest. Several community members were able to attend, including Ken Holland, Nancy Ormsby, and Sam Houston Memorial Museum‘s own Megan Buro. We were thrilled to have attendance from Caney Creek High School’s Student World Affairs Council Club, whom we have seen at many WAC events!
Drawing on his years in federal law enforcement, Combs offered an inside look at the confusion surrounding the initial response, the challenges investigators faced, and the lasting consequences of that day. His enthusiasm, personable attitude, and remarkable storytelling ability made the presentation especially engaging.
Combs began his FBI career in counterintelligence, primarily working on Russian espionage, before transitioning to a rapid-response counterterrorism task force. At the time of the attacks, he had been with the Bureau for only five years. He described himself as simply “a guy doing the job,” but the events that followed would become some of the defining experiences of his career.
One detail that stood out was how little anyone initially understood about what had happened. Combs recalled that he did not initially believe a commercial aircraft had struck the Pentagon. His first suspicion was a truck bomb. For nearly 15 minutes, investigators struggled to understand what they were facing. Hearing him describe those first moments was a reminder that those responding had no clear picture of what was happening or what might come next.
Combs described a scene that drew thousands of first responders and investigators. A total of 183 people were killed at the Pentagon. Investigators recovered 113 bodies, which Combs defined as a torso or larger, while more than 3,000 human remains were ultimately collected and identified.
Despite the willingness of so many people to help, some volunteers had to be turned away because they lacked the necessary training and were unintentionally hindering operations. Combs emphasized that remaining calm, organized, and focused was essential. Cooperation among local police, fire departments, FEMA, the FBI, and Pentagon personnel made the recovery possible.
He compared the undertaking to the familiar saying, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” The work could only be accomplished by breaking an overwhelming situation into smaller, manageable tasks. For students interested in law enforcement, this offered a practical lesson in preparation and teamwork.
Combs also discussed challenges investigators encountered beyond the recovery itself. Some individuals attempted to impersonate emergency personnel to gain access to restricted areas, requiring stricter procedures for verifying response teams. Evidence collection also had to happen quickly, as important evidence could be lost amid the destruction. Investigators had to balance urgency with careful investigative procedures.
He also spoke about the media’s coverage of major incidents, explaining that early reporting is often inaccurate. Combs avoids publicly identifying terrorists and mass shooters whenever possible, believing attention should remain on victims and the personnel responding to these events.
Throughout the presentation, Combs emphasized that repetition breeds excellence. Preparation, discipline, and teamwork are essential when circumstances become unpredictable. He also spoke candidly about the demands of federal law enforcement, including frequent travel and time away from home. Following the Pentagon response, he was immediately involved in the anthrax investigation and recalled earning a reputation as “the crisis guy.”
For me, one of the most valuable aspects of the evening was hearing these experiences from someone who had actually lived through them. Combs’s enthusiasm, storytelling ability, and passion for his profession made an already significant subject that much more engaging. His presentation showed that law enforcement requires more than investigative knowledge; it demands adaptability, cooperation, and a willingness to serve others under difficult circumstances. For LEAP students considering careers in public service, hearing that perspective firsthand offered a meaningful look at the responsibilities of the profession.
