Hector Tarango

U.S. DOJ, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Resident Agent in Charge (Retired)

Mr. Tarango has built a 30-year career in the world of security. Mr. Tarango is a veteran of the U.S. Army and the war in Iraq, a former Texas Police Officer, U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Special Agent, and Special Agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).  Mr. Tarango left the USBP when he was recruited and hired with the ATF in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Tarango rose through the ranks and was promoted to Resident Agent in Charge over the Fort Worth, Texas Division. Mr. Tarango directed all firearm, violent crime and explosive investigations in 21 counties. He supervised special agents, police officers, bomb technicians, and support staff. 

During his tenure with ATF, Mr. Tarango was a mentor in the ATF new supervisor program, a member of ATF’s tactical unit known as the Special Response Team (SRT.) While with the SRT, Mr. Tarango received over 10,000 hours of tactical training as a student and instructor to include hostage rescue training, dignitary protection, high-risk building entry, and participated in over 150 high-risk operations throughout the United States. Mr. Tarango has also presented training to cadets at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point New York, and at the ATF National Academy. Mr. Tarango has presented training to the Texas Narcotics Officers Association, Texas Gang Investigators Association and local SWAT units. Mr. Tarango was trained in Peer Support Counseling in order to help other law enforcement officers cope with traumatic events such as shootings, bombings and other related events. Mr. Tarango provided support to officers and agents involved in the attacks of September 11 and police officers that were involved in the Boston Marathon bombing. Following the September 11th, terrorist attacks, as a member of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Mr. Tarango conducted numerous terrorist related investigations. Mr. Tarango served as the tactical component advisor during the relief efforts in Hurricane Katrina at the Critical Incident Management Response Team. Mr. Tarango has received numerous awards to include, DOJ, INS Quality Performance award, multiple Sustained Superior awards and numerous investigative excellence commendations. 

Mr. Tarango has worked alongside Secret Service Agents providing security for the Vice-President of the United States, and other VIP’s.  Mr. Tarango is the recipient of the Medal of Valor, and the Hostile Action Award for his actions during high-risk operations. Mr. Tarango is a regular on-air and radio guest contributor to Fox News, ABC News, Telemundo and KRLD radio on matters of mass shootings, terrorist bombings and other security topics. Mr. Tarango is presently the President of Vindico Investigations & Security Consulting and was recently contracted to provide security at the Republican National Convention. Mr. Tarango worked alongside Secret Service Agents, Quicken Loans Arena security personnel and Cleveland Police Officers. Mr. Tarango has attended Active Shooter training through the American Society for Industrial Security. 

Mr. Tarango is a member of the Law Enforcement Training committee for the North Texas Crime Commission. Additionally, he is a founding member of the Coppell Crime Stoppers and he is the current president for one of the largest home owner’s associations in North Texas.