MICHAEL “MIKE” GARBO WAS A HUSBAND, PROUD DAD, SON, BROTHER, FRIEND, U.S. ARMY RESERVE, POLICE OFFICER, SWAT, CRIME SUPPRESSION UNIT, DRUG INTERDICTION OFFICER, SRT, DRUG ENFORCEMENT SPECIAL AGENT GROUP SUPERVISOR, AND HERO.
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Memorial DEA Agent Garbo.mp4
Michael was known across the country as a legend. He possessed operational expertise and leadership qualities among his colleagues. Michael was a revered and respected agent in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Michael's family, friends, and co-workers saw him as a work of force, a jokester, the go-to guy, an all-around inspiration, humble, and the hero they all admired. Michael was a leader that never stopped learning; he encouraged others to learn not just by him but by studying the mission or operation at play. Michael constantly challenged himself in every aspect, from keeping in shape to becoming a better mentor, leader, and agent.
As Michael would often say,
“Just Do The Right Thing”
“It Is What It Is”
During his high school and college life, he joined the Army Reserves. Within this organization, he would be awarded in 1991 the "Army Achievement Medal.” Michael was honorably discharged in 1993.
He attended Eastern Illinois University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, graduating in 1992. Michael was committed to a career in public service and law enforcement. He served as a police officer in Nashville, TN, for 12 years, where he was recognized for countless accomplishments for his commitment to keeping drugs off the streets of Nashville.
On October 6, 2000, Louis Freeh, Director of the U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation, wrote a letter to Detective Garbo. To quote a few words from this prestigious letter: “You have been an invaluable asset to the investigative team, which has benefited immeasurably from your hard work. I want you to know how much I personally appreciate your superb efforts. My associates in Nashville have enjoyed working with you, and they join me in thanking you for all you have done to help build a prosecutable case against the drug traffickers both in Nashville and elsewhere.”
Continuing his quest for more, Michael joined the Phoenix Field Division Drug Enforcement Agency in 2005 after relocating him and his family to Tucson, AZ, where he exemplified honor and pride to serve as a DEA Agent and later a group supervisor for the division in 2018. He would serve for 16 years and lead a team who looked up to him as an outstanding agent, leader, and friend. During his service with the DEA, he volunteered to go on a tour in Kabul, Afghanistan, from 2009-2011. Although he had a tough time being separated from his family, he made incredible strides there, being recognized for his outstanding service and leadership with much gratitude given by his team, known as the Jalalabad Enforcement Group. While his DEA team back in Arizona would recognize him as the "last one out," his unit in Afghanistan would aware of him as "The Last Caveman."
During Michael’s career with the DEA, he received many awards for his exceptional work from the DEA, HIDTA, CNA, and the Tucson Chief of Police. These awards were with the help of his team because Michael would say it’s a group effort. It takes a team to take down illicit drugs.
Michael was always that Group Supervisor who analyzed everything he did before any op. He did not want to miss anything, as he always had his team’s best interest and safety at heart.
The night before was like any other night as he sat with his pal, Leo rubbed his head and neck and gave him belly rubs with his feet as he looked at his wife and said, “I told you we would be the parents of Alexis’s dog,” with his cute smirk. They laughed and said we wouldn’t change anything. Michael left his family on the morning of October 4, 2021, and ensured Vida he would be home in time to walk their dog Leo, unless something came up. “You know how that goes,” with a kiss and an I love you. Michael did not come home that day as he had promised. Their world stopped that day.
Little did we know how all of our lives would change from that day forward.
His family founded the Michael Garbo Foundation to carry on his legacy by providing educational and Jiu-jitsu scholarships and awards in memory of Michael. The International Narcotics Interdiction Association (INIA )and Michael’s Jiu-Jitsu gym (Daimyo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) are the scholarships that the foundation is working with. The awards dedicated to Michael’s memory will be the Michael Garbo Firearms Award with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the Michael Garbo Excellence Award with the Arizona Narcotics Officers Association (ANOA).
The foundation is raising awareness of security issues regarding guns and illicit drugs illegally entering on our trains and buses. Illegal activity dramatically impacts the safety and welfare of our Drug Enforcement Administration and our Law Enforcement Officers.
“It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.”
-Schwarzkopf
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