Episode 84 retired Special Agent FBI Ann Kirkland

Interview with retired Special Agent Federal Bureau of Investigation Ann Kirkland.

Years of Service: 1996-2022

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Annie knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement. With encouragement from her father, she sought a goal to become a Special Agent with the FBI.

After college, she received her law degree and became an Assistant District Attorney for Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, handling minor and major criminal cases.

In 1996, she achieved her goal of becoming a Special Agent with the FBI and was assigned to the New York Division.

During her career, Annie served different assignments, including the surveillance operations group, behavioral analysis coordinator, and adjunct faculty instructor for violent crime and crime scene management processing.

Annie was assigned to the New York Division, Los Angeles Division, FBI Headquarters, Anchorage Division, and the Philadelphia Division. She was part of the evidence response team throughout her career, which took her throughout the country and world, investigating bombings, murders, and plane crashes.

Annie had an affinity for investigating violent crime but developed a deep desire to pursue cases involving children who were the victims of crime. During her career, Annie worked on investigations including bank robbery, wire fraud, kidnapping, organized crime, narcotics, human trafficking, terrorism, homicide, and January 6th protesters for a brief time.

00:00 The Kansas City Rescue
00:38 Introduction to the Interview
01:01 Annie Kirkland's Background
01:32 Family Influence and Early Career
03:22 Challenges in Law Enforcement
05:45 Joining the FBI
18:42 FBI Academy Experience
29:33 First Assignments in New York
34:37 Transition to Riverside, California
36:27 Crimes Against Children Cases
49:30 Shocking Confession Leads to Major Arrest
49:59 Challenges of Investigating Snapchat
51:15 Heartbreaking Realities of Child Exploitation Cases
52:32 Navigating Law Enforcement Collaboration
54:44 Building Relationships in Law Enforcement
56:55 The FBI National Academy Experience
01:00:07 Specialized FBI Units: ERT and More
01:03:18 Grim Duties of the Evidence Response Team
01:06:28 9/11 and Its Aftermath
01:19:36 Working in Indian Country
01:25:55 Life and Work in Anchorage, Alaska
01:34:31 Reflections on a Career in the FBI
01:38:58 January 6 Investigations