Texas TSOs Receive Eagle Eye Award for Discovering Loaded Firearms & Concealed Items

News & Happenings

October 3, 2007

TSO Joseph Melendez of Austin-Bergstrom (Austin, Texas) International Airport was recognized in September 2007 with an Eagle Eye Award for discovering a loaded firearm in a passenger’s carry-on bag.

While operating the X-ray, Melendez observed what appeared to be a weapon in the carry-on bag and called Lead TSO Robert Bates, the acting supervisor. Bates viewed the image on the X-ray and immediately notified law enforcement, which took possession of the bag. A bag search revealed a Katez .38-caliber handgun, with seven rounds loaded in the clip and one round in the chamber.

"I was proud to see TSO Melendez include his teammates in his Eagle Eye award photo," said Assistant FSD for Screening Gil Almaraz. "While finding the loaded handgun was an individual accomplishment, it takes a team working and training together to achieve this type of success.

The passenger was arrested and claimed that she forgot about the handgun inside her bag because she had recently moved.

"I don’t think I did anything special, just doing my job," said Melendez.

TSOs at William P. Hobby (Houston) Airport also recently earned Eagle Eye Awards for discovering artfully concealed items and fraudulent documents, including three firearms and two stun guns.

In several of those incidents, passengers were arrested. The TSOs received a certificate and an Eagle Eye pin for their efforts.

"The individual efforts by these TSOs, both in baggage and checkpoint operations, resulted in the Houston team ensuring the safety of our national transportation system," said FSD Jim Marchand. "I applaud each of these award recipients as well as all the officers who work tirelessly each day to keep our airport safe and secure."