Agents almost never get recognized for their acts of valor. For one thing, a successful operation puts agents at risk. Oftentimes, agent identities must be kept secret to protect them and their families from disgruntled criminals who want revenge. For instance, Jay Dobyns achieved international acclaim for infiltrating the Hells Angels. The Hells Angels is a motorcycle club that is often under fire from law enforcement agents for selling firearms and drugs. His investigation resulted in the indictment of several members of the organization for racketeering. (The club members were initially insulted, claiming that not a single one of them played tennis. Once it was explained to them what racketeering was, the indictment made more sense to them.)
During the court proceedings, Dobyns’ identity was revealed. The Hells Angels, the Mara Salvatrucha gang and the Aryan Brotherhood threatened to kill Dobyns. Four years after the court hearings, Dobyns’ home was burnt down. General consensus is that it was not because he left his Christmas tree lights on.
In other words, you do not want to be a famous ATF agent. This isn’t the type of career that offers fame and limo rides. You won’t be an agent who needs his own agent.
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