FBI Salt Lake City
Press Office
July 26, 2018

FBI Celebrates 110th Birthday

On July 26, 2018, the FBI celebrates 110 years of public service. In honor of this milestone, we reflect on our history and look forward to the future of the organization. At FBI Salt Lake City, Headquarters, and across all field offices, we are highlighting the FBI’s history and recognizing the people and work of the FBI.

Much has changed since the FBI was established, but many critical attributes remain the same. The Bureau now operates in a digital world where crime not only crosses state lines, but also international borders, in the blink of an eye. However, our best traditions have not changed—our rigorous adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law, and the guiding principles in our motto of Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity.

The first FBI office was established in Salt Lake City in 1914 to oversee investigations in Utah and surrounding areas, and throughout history, the office has been involved with a number of significant cases. In 1972, agents from the Salt Lake City office tracked and arrested airplane hijacker Richard Floyd McCoy, in 1996, they helped arrest Theodore Kaczynski, also known as the “Unabomber,” in his cabin in rural Montana, and in 2002, the office played a central role in providing security for the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Currently, FBI Salt Lake City is responsible for investigations in Utah, Idaho, and Montana, and includes 18 satellite offices, known as resident agencies, across the three states.

“Today, our organization celebrates 110 years of service to the American people, but this celebration is not a stopping point, it is an opportunity to reflect and rededicate ourselves to the mission and our core values of fidelity, bravery, and integrity,” said Special Agent in Charge Eric Barnhart. “I want to thank all my colleagues at the FBI, particularly those who have served in the Salt Lake City Division throughout their career, for their hard work and dedication to the FBI and to justice.”

The FBI was established on July 26, 1908, by Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte with just 34 special agents and was officially named the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1935. Since then, the FBI has grown to nearly 37,000 employees, including more than 13,500 special agents and over 22,800 professional staff employees in 56 field offices, more than 400 resident agencies, and 90 legal attaché offices and sub-offices worldwide.

Follow the FBI on Facebook, Twitter (@FBISaltLakeCity), and using the hashtag #FBI110 for more information.