1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,480 Speaker 1: The FBI. Just those three letters kind of give you 2 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:07,440 Speaker 1: a little chill, right. These people are serious law enforcement 3 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: types you just don't want to tangle with. The bureau 4 00:00:10,440 --> 00:00:14,040 Speaker 1: has evolved from its beginnings in nineteen oh eight. Violence 5 00:00:14,040 --> 00:00:16,440 Speaker 1: has frequently been the name of the game, but there 6 00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:19,800 Speaker 1: was one shootout in particular that changed the way the 7 00:00:19,880 --> 00:00:24,480 Speaker 1: FBI deals with heavily armed criminals. I'm Patty Steele, the 8 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 1: FBI's defining and bloodiest moment. Next on the backstory, The 9 00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:35,920 Speaker 1: backstory is back. First of all, I'd like to thank 10 00:00:35,960 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: backstory listener Caitlin Marieski for bringing this story to our attention, 11 00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 1: since her mom actually worked at one of the banks 12 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:46,600 Speaker 1: robbed by the guys at the center of it. We've 13 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:49,640 Speaker 1: seen the evolution of the FBI from its inception in 14 00:00:49,720 --> 00:00:53,600 Speaker 1: nineteen oh eight through their wild days capturing gangsters like 15 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:57,600 Speaker 1: al Capone, Bonnie and Clyde, and John Dillinger. They chased 16 00:00:57,600 --> 00:01:01,160 Speaker 1: down bank robbers, kidnappers, and murderers, as well as gangs 17 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:06,120 Speaker 1: involved in prostitution, drug dealing, and gun running. While FBI 18 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:10,480 Speaker 1: stands for a Federal Bureau of Investigation, those initials also 19 00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:15,640 Speaker 1: stand for the bureau's motto fidelity, bravery, and integrity. For 20 00:01:15,640 --> 00:01:18,880 Speaker 1: forty eight years, the Bureau of Investigation, as it was 21 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:21,720 Speaker 1: first called and then the FBI, was run by j. 22 00:01:21,959 --> 00:01:24,200 Speaker 1: Edgar Hoover. He was a bit of a nut job, 23 00:01:24,319 --> 00:01:27,399 Speaker 1: but he controlled the Bureau with a wild ego and 24 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:30,680 Speaker 1: an iron fist, using it at times as his own 25 00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:35,200 Speaker 1: personal espionage organization. Hoover finally died while still on the 26 00:01:35,319 --> 00:01:39,880 Speaker 1: job in nineteen seventy two. As the FBI continued to evolve, 27 00:01:40,240 --> 00:01:43,319 Speaker 1: criminals were getting more and more powerful. A hot spot, 28 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:47,080 Speaker 1: of course, was Miami. By the mid nineteen eighties, the lights, 29 00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 1: the glitz, and the glamour were masking an out of 30 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:54,120 Speaker 1: control crime rate. Violent bank robberies became par for the course, 31 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:56,920 Speaker 1: and two of the best and most ruthless at that 32 00:01:57,080 --> 00:02:01,720 Speaker 1: game were William Russell Maddox and Mike Lee Platt. Both 33 00:02:01,720 --> 00:02:05,160 Speaker 1: were born in the early nineteen fifties, Maddox in Ohio 34 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:08,680 Speaker 1: and Platte in California. They met when they both joined 35 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:12,400 Speaker 1: the military. Maddox was in the Marines and later the Army, 36 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:15,560 Speaker 1: where he served as a military cop. But after the 37 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:18,960 Speaker 1: mysterious death of his young wife, who was stabbed on 38 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:22,600 Speaker 1: the job along with a coworker, he turned angry and volatile, 39 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:26,639 Speaker 1: abandoning family and friends. He was actually a suspect in 40 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:30,480 Speaker 1: the murders, but for some reason never charged. Platt, meantime 41 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:33,359 Speaker 1: was in the army and he became a ranger, one 42 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:37,320 Speaker 1: of the military's elite units, known for intense training and 43 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 1: tactical expertise. He was aggressive and highly skilled, but he 44 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:45,920 Speaker 1: too had an explosive temper, and once out of the military, 45 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:49,520 Speaker 1: he had a rough time getting back into civilian life. 46 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:52,640 Speaker 1: His first wife had also died, she with a single 47 00:02:52,680 --> 00:02:55,919 Speaker 1: shotgun blast to the mouth. It was ruled a suicide, 48 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 1: but he remarried just a couple of weeks later, and 49 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:03,800 Speaker 1: then Maddox and Platt cross paths again. Both were disenchanted 50 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:07,200 Speaker 1: with the world in general and resented authority. The two 51 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:11,600 Speaker 1: vets bonded quickly over their shared military experience and mutual 52 00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:14,840 Speaker 1: anger at life, and that led to an intense but 53 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:19,720 Speaker 1: really dangerous friendship. Problem is, both were highly trained but 54 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:23,480 Speaker 1: had become increasingly radicalized, and they fed off of each 55 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 1: other's disillusionment. Now it's the mid eighties and they've reconnected 56 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:31,640 Speaker 1: in Florida. Neither has a criminal record, but they start 57 00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:36,400 Speaker 1: stockpiling weapons, carefully planning a series of robberies that would 58 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:41,600 Speaker 1: shake South Florida. These are carefully orchestrated assaults, allowing them 59 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:46,240 Speaker 1: to show off their tactical expertise, from military precision to 60 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:50,880 Speaker 1: ruthless execution. It all reflects their training and violent mindset. 61 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:54,920 Speaker 1: Although some of their robberies are bungled, many are successful, 62 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:59,360 Speaker 1: but leave innocent people dead and wounded, the public terrified 63 00:03:59,600 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 1: and law enforcement baffled. The pair is showing no hesitation 64 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:06,400 Speaker 1: to shoot their way out of trouble, and their weapons 65 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:10,880 Speaker 1: are military grade, which far exceeds the typical firepower, police, 66 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:14,840 Speaker 1: or even the FBI usually encountered at that time, and 67 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 1: that's where trouble arises. It all culminates in a deadly 68 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:22,200 Speaker 1: encounter with the FBI in April of nineteen eighty six. 69 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:26,239 Speaker 1: The FBI has a special team of eight highly skilled 70 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:30,159 Speaker 1: agents on the case, including two leaders, special agents Ben 71 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 1: Grogan and Jerry Dove. On the morning of April eleventh, 72 00:04:33,960 --> 00:04:38,120 Speaker 1: after weeks of surveillance, the FBI sees Mattox and Platt 73 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:42,400 Speaker 1: driving a stolen Chevy Maddy Carlo. They're in South Miami, 74 00:04:42,520 --> 00:04:45,680 Speaker 1: and they begin to chase the pair The agents manage 75 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:48,440 Speaker 1: to box in the Manty Carlo so they can capture 76 00:04:48,440 --> 00:04:52,120 Speaker 1: the suspects, but Mattox and Platt have no intention of 77 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:56,920 Speaker 1: surrendering Quietly. As the agents move closer, the robbers open fire. 78 00:04:57,560 --> 00:05:01,640 Speaker 1: All hell breaks loose. It's total chaos. Bullets are shredding 79 00:05:01,680 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 1: through vehicles and agents are scrambling for cover. It's pretty 80 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:09,520 Speaker 1: clear the tactical skill and firepower of Mattos and Plat, 81 00:05:09,760 --> 00:05:14,160 Speaker 1: with a Ruger Many fourteen rifle and multiple powerful handguns 82 00:05:14,279 --> 00:05:19,320 Speaker 1: is overwhelming even these seasoned FBI agents. Early in the shootout, 83 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:23,120 Speaker 1: the lead special agents Grogan and Dove are fatally wounded. 84 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:27,640 Speaker 1: Of the remaining six agents, five are critically wounded. The 85 00:05:27,680 --> 00:05:30,800 Speaker 1: shootout lasts just a few minutes, but it feels like 86 00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:35,279 Speaker 1: an eternity. Over one hundred forty rounds were fired in 87 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:38,839 Speaker 1: addition to deaths and injuries on the FBI special team. 88 00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:42,440 Speaker 1: The robbers, Mattox and Platt lay dead the end of 89 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 1: their vicious spree. The FBI shootout in Miami was a 90 00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 1: wake up call for law enforcement nationwide. It showed critical 91 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:54,720 Speaker 1: gaps and prompted major reforms in how federal agents are 92 00:05:54,760 --> 00:05:59,120 Speaker 1: trained and equipped up until this bloody shootout, considered the 93 00:05:59,160 --> 00:06:03,560 Speaker 1: worst in FBI history. Police and federal agents were typically 94 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:08,279 Speaker 1: issued revolvers, but now law enforcement realized bigger firepower was 95 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:12,239 Speaker 1: needed to deal with criminals like Mattocks and Platt. Police 96 00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 1: departments and the FBI began issuing semi automatic handguns along 97 00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:20,719 Speaker 1: with much improved body armor. As in everything we do, 98 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:24,560 Speaker 1: it's the takeaway that matters. Right today, the shootout is 99 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:28,080 Speaker 1: still a key study for law enforcement. The agents who 100 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:33,280 Speaker 1: survived became outspoken advocates for improving the safety of officers 101 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:38,039 Speaker 1: and of encouraging resilience. The Miami shootout of nineteen eighty 102 00:06:38,080 --> 00:06:42,039 Speaker 1: six was a pivotal turning point in the FBI's history. 103 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:46,120 Speaker 1: It's also a reminder of the danger law enforcement officer's 104 00:06:46,160 --> 00:06:50,760 Speaker 1: face and the sacrifices they make every day. Once again, 105 00:06:50,839 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 1: I want to thank Backstory listener Caitlin Mareyeski for turning 106 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:57,600 Speaker 1: me on to this story and her personal connection through 107 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:01,080 Speaker 1: her mom. Hope you're enjoying the Backstone with Patty Steele. 108 00:07:01,360 --> 00:07:04,760 Speaker 1: Please leave a review and follow or subscribe for free 109 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:08,440 Speaker 1: to get new episodes delivered automatically, and also feel free 110 00:07:08,440 --> 00:07:11,239 Speaker 1: to DM me if like Caitlin you have a story 111 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 1: you'd like me to cover. On Facebook, It's Patty Steele 112 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 1: and on Instagram Real Patty Steele. I'm Patty Steele. The 113 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:26,160 Speaker 1: Backstory is a production of iHeartMedia, Premiere Networks, the Elvis 114 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:30,400 Speaker 1: Durand Group, and Steel Trap Productions. Our producer is Doug Fraser. 115 00:07:30,640 --> 00:07:34,280 Speaker 1: Our writer Jake Kushner. We have new episodes every Tuesday 116 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:36,840 Speaker 1: and Friday. Feel free to reach out to me with 117 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 1: comments and even story suggestions on Instagram at Real Patty 118 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:44,400 Speaker 1: Steele and on Facebook at Patty Steele. Thanks for listening 119 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:47,680 Speaker 1: to the Backstory with Patty Steele. The pieces of history 120 00:07:47,880 --> 00:07:49,520 Speaker 1: you didn't know you needed to know.