OKLAHOMA CITY 鈥� It remains one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. Thirty years after the Oklahoma City bombing, the first responders who rushed into chaos and devastation continue to reflect on how that day changed them.
On April 19, 1995, a bomb detonated outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people, including 19 children. The destruction was immediate and overwhelming. Firefighters, police officers, EMS providers, federal agents and volunteers converged on the scene, doing whatever they could to save lives, search for survivors and secure the area.
In Netflix鈥檚 newly released documentary, 鈥�,鈥� 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 docuseries, 鈥�,鈥� 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 hosted a special discussion on the legacy of the Oklahoma City bombing. The panel featured retired FDNY Battalion Chief Stephen Spall, retired EMS Division Chief Charles Wells and retired NYPD ESU Detective Kenneth Winkler 鈥� 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.
Over the years, many first responders have publicly shared what they experienced on April 19, 1995. The following are a few of the voices that continue to shed light on the emotional and operational toll of that day:
Bob Ricks: Former FBI special agent in charge
As the head of the FBI鈥檚 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 , he detailed how agents worked tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Charlie Hanger: Former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper
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鈥檚 story underscores how everyday police work can have extraordinary consequences. In a 2011 , 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鈥檚 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 , Flowers gave a firsthand account that reveals the emotional toll the bombing took on those who responded.
Joe Wallace: EMSA paramedic
Joe Wallace had only been on the job two years when the bombing shook the ambulance he was sitting in near the Murrah Building. He spent the first hour treating victims in and around the General Record Building. In a , Wallace reflected on how the experience shaped his understanding of the job, saying, 鈥淵ou shouldn鈥檛 have to help that many people in one day.鈥�
Chris Fields: Former Oklahoma City firefighter
was among the first firefighters to arrive at the Murrah Building. He was later the body of 1-year-old Baylee Almon 鈥� an image that became a national symbol of the tragedy. In , Fields said the experience left a lasting impact, and he now shares his story to help other first responders process trauma.
