Drunk Secret Service agent

[Drewskie]

Secret Service agent sent home after bar incident

Associated Press


FARGO, N.D. - A Secret Service agent was sent home after getting drunk at a bar the night before President Bush appeared here, police say.

Authorities were called to the Holiday Inn after a gas mask was left behind at the bar. The agent was later suspected of setting off the hotel's fire alarms while police were there, Lt. Tod Dahle said.

"It was some very odd behavior," Dahle said.

Special Agent John Kirkwood of the Secret Service in Minneapolis declined comment.

The gas mask apparently came out of a duffel bag that had other personal belongings, Dahle said.

"Security was obviously concerned that someone had a gas mask ... with the president coming the next day," he said.

A hotel guest believed that someone matching the agent's description was setting off the fire alarms, Dahle said.

The incident happened last Wednesday night, the day before Bush spoke in front of 7,000 people at North Dakota State University. Dahle said the agent was put on a plane the next day.

No arrests were made, but an investigative report has been sent to the Cass County state's attorney's office, Dahle said. No charges have been filed.

"His superiors were extremely cooperative with us and took care of the situation as best they could," Dahle said. "But obviously, that type of behavior is quite frowned upon by anybody in law enforcement and particularly the Secret Service."

[aquart]

1. Takes it toll, protecting a hated man.

[Drewskie]

2. Punishment

I wonder what they will do to the guy... I've always thought those people must do their share of drinking, what with all the time spent on the road and in hotels. But still, such behavior as this must be quite rare.

[satya]

3. This is what * gets for hiring his old frat buddies. nt

[candle_bright]

4. That doesn't make any sense

If Kerry had been elected, this same drunken idiot would have been in charge of protecting him. To me, it just sounds like this SS agent is a bad apple, or a very dumb apple.

[Moderator]

5. Drewskie

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