OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City bombing remains one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. As the 30th anniversary approaches, law enforcement officers who responded that day are sharing their stories, reflecting on what they saw and how it changed them forever.
The April 19, 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building killed 168 people, including 19 children. The scale of destruction and the trauma that followed left an indelible mark on the first responders who rushed to the scene.
In Netflix’s newly released documentary, “Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror,” several law enforcement officers recall their roles that day. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Charlie Hanger recounted arresting Timothy McVeigh during a traffic stop, unaware at the time that McVeigh was behind the bombing. His quick thinking ultimately led to McVeigh’s prosecution and execution. The documentary also features interviews with Oklahoma City Police Bomb Squad technician Mike McPherson, who was one of the first to arrive on scene, and federal agents Bob Ricks, Danny Coulson and Jon Hersley, who were instrumental in the investigation.
National Geographic’s docuseries, “Oklahoma City Bombing: One Day in America,” also takes viewers inside the response efforts, offering interviews with first responders like Mike Shannon, who went on to serve as special operations chief for the Oklahoma City Fire Department, and Melissa Webster, who was an intermediate paramedic who responded to the bombing. Their emotional testimonies paint a vivid picture of the horror and humanity seen that day.
As part of the 30th anniversary commemorations, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum will host a special discussion on the legacy of the Oklahoma City bombing. The panel will feature retired FDNY Battalion Chief Stephen Spall, retired EMS Division Chief Charles Wells and retired NYPD ESU Detective Kenneth Winkler — members of New York Task Force 1, one of 11 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue teams deployed in response to the bombing.
The 56-member task force included personnel from the FDNY, NYPD and EMS; nine of them would later lose their lives responding to the 9/11 attacks. During the panel, participants will reflect on their roles in both Oklahoma City and New York, the challenges faced in large-scale urban search and rescue, and the lasting impact these events had on emergency response practices nationwide.
Though three decades have passed, the memory of that day remains sharp for the officers who answered the call. Their reflections not only preserve history but help inform a new generation of law enforcement about the weight and meaning of service during crisis.
In addition to the documentaries and memorials, several local and national outlets have revisited — both recently and in past years — the experiences of law enforcement personnel who responded on April 19, 1995. The following profiles spotlight individuals who stepped forward amid chaos and have since shared their stories with the public, offering insight into the emotional and operational toll of that day:
Bob Ricks: Former FBI special agent in charge
As the head of the FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office at the time, Bob Ricks played a central role in coordinating the investigation. His experience brought a federal lens to the pursuit of justice, and in a 2025 interview with We Are The Mighty, he detailed how agents worked tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Charlie Hanger: Former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper
Charlie Hanger’s single traffic stop led to the arrest of Timothy McVeigh, just 90 minutes after the bombing. His vigilance and professionalism in that moment changed the course of the investigation. Hanger’s story underscores how everyday police work can have extraordinary consequences. In a 2011 video for the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, Hanger details the traffic stop that ended with the arrest of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.
Jerry Flowers: Former Oklahoma City police officer and hostage negotiator
Jerry Flowers served on the Oklahoma City Police Department’s tactical team as a hostage negotiator during the bombing. He has spoken openly about the long-term effects of the tragedy, including his struggles with PTSD. In a 2020 interview with KOCO, Flowers gave a firsthand account that reveals the emotional toll the bombing took on those who responded.
