Secret Services Mourns Death Of First Black Agent
WASHINGTON - Charles L. Gittens, the first black US Secret Service agent, died on July 27 an agency spokesman confirmed. He was 82.
Gittens became an agent in 1956 and was first assigned to the Charlotte, N.C., office. He also worked in the New York City office investigating counterfeiting and bank fraud.
After retiring in 1979, he worked for the Justice Department investigating war criminals.
Danny Spriggs, vice president of global security for The Associated Press and fellow Secret Service agent, called Gittens “just an outstanding guy.”
“He went out of his way to mentor and give counsel and advice to young African-Americans who were coming up, especially those like myself who were coming up through the ranks.”
“The guy was always physically fit. He looked like he came out of the gym. His whole persona was one of professionalism: no nonsense guy.”
Visitation and funeral services are scheduled for Saturday at Trinity Episcopal Church in Washington.
