On June 16, following a career with the Secret Service that spanned more than 50 years, Robert (Bob) Diehl left the Rowley Training Center for the last time. During the retirement ceremony, Diehl was celebrated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Secret Service Director James Murray, along with friends he has made over the last 50 years.
“Bob has made significant contributions to the protective transportation mission of the Secret Service by advancing the armored vehicle program, developing and instructing defensive and evasive driving techniques to countless members of the Secret Service,” said Secretary Mayorkas, as he presented Diehl with the DHS Outstanding Service Medal. “His collaboration with private industry to design, build and test the armored vehicles used to protect our nation’s leaders has strengthened the security of United States and the mission of the Department of Homeland Security.
Bob Diehl started his career as a Uniformed Division Officer in January 1971 where he served for 11 years before transferring to the Special Services Division (SSD). Finding his passion for the Secret Service’s elite transportation mission during his time in SSD, he devoted more than 20 years of his career to ensuring the Rowley Training Center Transportation Services Division achieved excellence in all it was tasked with accomplishing.
“Bob’s dedication to our agency’s protective mission enabled him to become a widely recognized expert in training, operating and maintaining the fleet of armored vehicles our nation depends on to help protect our highest elected leaders,” said Director Murray. “Bob Diehl’s knowledge of armored vehicles – including the presidential and vice-presidential limousines that symbolize the Secret Service in the public’s eye, is accurately described as encyclopedic.”
Bob is one of the longest serving members of the Secret Service since its inception in 1865. To learn more about the Secret Service click here.