Max Noel, a native of Nebraska, served as an FBI Agent for 31 years with a career that spanned a wide variety of investigations. During his 30 years as criminal investigator in the FBI’s San Francisco Division, Mr. Noel helped solve numerous high- profile cases while also serving as Principal Firearms/Defensive Tactics Instructor and primary SWAT Team member.

He investigated the Weathermen Underground Organization, the kidnapping of newspaper heiress Patty Hearst, the hijacking of a PSA flight by Bulgarian terrorists, the disappearance of International Brotherhood of Teamsters President James Hoffa, the investigation and prosecution of sitting Federal District Judge Robert P. Aguilar of the Northern District of California, and the conviction of San Francisco Chinatown’s organized crime figure Raymond “Shrimp Boy” Chow and Hong Kong Wo Hop To Triad leader Peter Chong.

In June 1993, following resumption of bombings by “The Unabomber,” the FBI’s Chief Inspector selected Mr. Noel to serve on the newly created UNABOM (University and Airline BOMber)Task Force.

In February 1996, following the identification of Theodore J. “Ted” Kaczynski as the principal suspect, Mr. Noel was sent to Montana to lead a small team of investigators. They developed information cited in an affidavit requesting a search warrant for Kaczynski’s rural Montana cabin. On April 3, 1996, Mr. Noel and two others served that warrant and arrested Kaczynski.

Mr. Noel, along with four other Task Force members, received the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in July 1998. He retired in February 1999 and currently serves as a member of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Deadly Force Review Board.