Join a relentless pursuit marked by precision, urgency, and an unrelenting commitment to protect the innocent. This book takes you behind the scenes of a brutal criminal investigation, a journey in which justice isn’t a concept; it’s a vicious fight that, against all odds, was ultimately won.
R. Scott Crabtree was born in the Central Kansas town of Herington in 1957. Herington sat where the Flint Hills to the east meet the wheat and other agricultural efforts spreading to the west. Despite having a population of approximately 4,000 then, Herington had four different railroads that operated from there. Scott’s grandfather worked for the Rock Island and retired in the late 1960s. Alex assumed the role of a de facto father, and Alex’s younger sons, still in Herington, became big brothers for Scott after his dad left his mom and two younger sisters
Follow the investigation as it unfolded each chapter uncovering a vital clue, a pivotal decision, and the relentless pursuit of justice that brought the perpetrators to light.
At 9:02 a.m. on April 19, 1995, a massive explosion shook downtown Oklahoma City. The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was the target, and the blast that sheared off most…
It was another quiet morning in America’s heartland. As I drove to work that morning, I noticed the blooming trees and flowers that were becoming prevalent at that time of year.
As I approached the western outskirts of Junction City while heading east on Interstate 70, I took the exit for US 77. At the end of the off-ramp, I turned north, passed under the…
As I was preparing to leave, I called the nearby U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Command (CID) office on Fort Riley to inform them of what I had just learned at Elliott’s Body…
An hour or more after arriving back at the Fort Riley CID office, SIOC personnel contacted me to inform me that the plane carrying the sketch artist was finally en route…
In less than 24 hours after the bombing, I next shifted my focus to leveraging our sketches to the fullest extent possible. I immediately provided copies to SIOC, who could, in turn…
By mid-morning on Friday, the “cavalry” finally arrived in the form of the Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) responsible for the resident agencies in Kansas, and with him a couple…
Jablonski and I descended a switch-back staircase that led down to the basement. At the bottom, we encountered a closed metal door. Upon knocking, Foley opened it, allowing…
At just after 6:10 p.m., Smith and I began the first of three breaks for Nichols, during which he was provided with water and pizza and a restroom break, the latter…
As I finished my updates for my Kansas City management, they instructed me to find a quiet place at HDPS to call and update FBI Director Louis Freeh. This caught me off guard…
While speaking with SSRA Pulice, I learned they were about to send two agents to Abilene to pick up Nichols and take him to Wichita for his initial appearance. This initial appearance…
Herington & Fort Riley
When I arose on Sunday, I quickly took a look at the Salina Journal newspaper while eating breakfast. In it, I saw an article in which an owner of…
By the first full week of May, I had returned to my office and was in the process of triaging the work that awaited me. As expected, I had…
By the Spring of 2000, I was leading the NYO’s cybercrime squad. It handled a new and developing crime problem, and my new squad was enthusiastic about our work. I enjoyed mentoring and trying…
I certainly did not wake up on April 19, 1995, thinking of how my life and career experiences would have unknowingly prepared me for my work during the days that lie ahead…
How is it possible for a country to transform from chaos to justice within just three days? This book offers that explanation with outstanding clarity and urgency. It isn’t another story of a crime; moreover, it’s a behind-the-scenes look at how law enforcement takes what appears to be small fragments of information and operates them to solve an outlandish case.
Through the eyes of R. Scott Crabtree, an investigator on the front lines, you’ll experience the tension, the critical decisions, and the near-misses that could have changed history. With a focus on investigative strategy rather than glorifying the criminals, this book is for those who appreciate real-world problem-solving, forensic breakthroughs, and the power of determination.
This book is for those who appreciate real-world problem-solving, forensic breakthroughs, and the power of determination. It’s also for those who seek inspiring stories of steadiness, practical strategies for overcoming obstacles, and the courage to chase their dreams. Additionally, this book is for those who value innovative thinking, the thrill of discovery, and the wisdom gained from failure and success. Together, these elements promise to empower readers with insights and strategies that can transform their challenges into opportunities for growth.
Let’s explore what readers say right after they finish the book! It’ll be great to interact with their thoughts and feelings about it.
“The untold story of the Oklahoma City Bombing from the perspective of the FBI agent who interrogated Terry Nichols a partner with Timothy McVeigh in the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.”
“Fascinating account of the interrogation of Terry Nichols, the co-conspirator with Timothy McVeigh of the Oklahoma City Bombing. The detailed and persistent extraction of information by the FBI interviewers from Nichols was masterful and proved beyond a doubt of the diabolical scheme cooked up by Nichols and McVeigh to blow up the Federal Building in Oklahoma City.”
“Under 80 Hours is a masterful account of the interview and subsequent interrogation of Terry Nichols who with Timothy McVeigh blew up the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. This story has never been told and is the inside account of one FBI’s agent interrogation of Mr. Nichols and the pursuit of the truth behind the bombing”.
“Talk about patience and persistence by the FBI! The dogged pursuit by the FBI agent who helped crack the case wide open of the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City is masterful. A must read to glean the real motivations of McVeigh and Nichols.”
Under 80 Hours is an exceptional true story that really needed to be told, especially today! It illuminates the dedicated professionals like Scott who at every hour of every day are working diligently to keep our families and communities safe. It is an extraordinary story, and highlights the importance of collaboration at all levels to share information, and build trust among local, state, and federal law enforcement. Well done!
You won’t want to miss this dramatic story about how the Oklahoma City bombing case was solved by incredibly dedicated law enforcement officials at all levels. This book helped me understand how fortunate we are to have the level of professionalism protecting our communities 24/7. Congratulations!
On April 19, 1995, Scott Crabtree was assigned to a one-person FBI office in the middle-of-nowhere Kansas. Over the next four sleepless days, he showed what having the right person, in the right place, at the right time can do. This book takes you behind the scenes in a real-life manhunt and describes Scott’s pivotal role in the FBI’s frantic efforts to identify and apprehend two home-grown terrorists before they kill again.
Scott’s career left a lasting impression on me and many others. Now, with this book, he’s passing on that legacy to the next generation of agents, students, and everyday citizens. I couldn’t be prouder to have served under his command—or more grateful that he finally decided to put this story on paper.
A must-read—not only because it’s a critical untold chapter in American history, but because it’s told by one of the Bureau’s finest.
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