Dear Supporters:
In thirty-four days, only a month, Ron would have celebrated
his 28th birthday.
His young and vibrant life to that point was a celebration
of his intelligence, charm, personality and admirable accomplishments. Already
having served his country in the U.S. Navy, completing college and embarking on
a challenging career in the nation’s premier law-enforcement agency. His future
was a clean slate; doors yet to open and adventures discovered, limitless
ambitions and opportunities and a host of close friends and family to share it
all.
We can only speculate or imagine what the next thirty-nine
years would have given him. He had ambitions. Ron had entertained pursuing a
law degree but it is not clear whether he would have tried to tackle such an
enterprise while remaining in the Bureau, or stepping down to pursue it full
time.
His time in the Rapid City Resident Agency (RCRA), an
assignment typically reserved for those with prior law enforcement experience,
like his partner that day, former LAPD Swat member, Jack Coler, was challenging;
a far cry from his previous experience and his hometown of the metropolis of
Los Angeles. Although the Bureau was increasing the agent compliment of the RCRA
to combat the rising turmoil caused by the American Indian Movement, Ron faced
those challenges as the consummate young professional agent all knew him to be.
Ron loved flying and had already earned a pilot’s license.
The FBI’s aviation program did not formally exist when he entered the Bureau
but by the mid 70s where aircraft were used in several major investigations,
the opportunity to become a Bureau pilot was certainly a possibility where he
could have combined both passions.
Having come from a major city, the possibility of
transferring back to L.A., where family and other friends resided, was a good
possibility. After serving his time in Indian Country working difficult cases
in remote areas, Los Angeles could have been within reach.
Had he returned to L.A., pursued a law degree, perhaps then
active in the Bureau’s rapidly growing aviation program, he may have sought to
combine those skills and experiences. Perhaps as an experienced investigator,
an attorney and a pilot, the National Transportation Safety Board may have been
an interesting and challenging career option, or perhaps a legal practice
involving airline litigation. We’ll never know.
By now, at age 67 he would no doubt have a family, and
perhaps retired from whatever path he chose, as he doted over grandchildren
sharing with them career exploits and accomplishments, introducing them to his
passion for flying, taking them on flying vacations or out for an afternoon to
a not-too-distant airport for one of those famous $50 hamburgers (today they
would be more like $300 hamburgers). In any case he would have lived, loved and
shared a long, productive and happy life, even if there were a few bumps in the
road.
But all that potential and dreams of the future ended on a
sultry day in June 1975.
He faced the danger, the enemy, as a young man with the
courage and strength of his already proven character. However, the odds were
overwhelming and insurmountable.
Undaunted and unafraid Ron and Jack pursued their fugitive
felon, only to be ambushed by AIM cowards and severely wounded. Nonetheless,
the evidence is crystal clear; he went first to the aid of his gravely injured
partner.
His sacrifice is our loss. May he Rest-in-Peace knowing that
he will never be forgotten.
We can take solace knowing that every agent and every man
and woman who carries a badge and a gun and is willing to place themselves in
harm's way to protect the citizenry and enforce the laws of this Nation have a
guardian angel looking over their shoulder. His name is Special Agent Ronald A.
Williams.
“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”
Ed Woods
