WASHINGTON — Secret Service agents bid farewell to former President Jimmy Carter, known by the code name “Deacon,” following his passing at the age of 100 on December 29. Carter, who received Secret Service protection as a presidential candidate on October 8, 1975, held the longest-serving security detail in the history of the agency.
After a memorial service in the nation’s capital, Carter was laid to rest in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where his protective detail continued for an impressive 49 years and two months. Anthony Guglielmi, the Secret Service Communications Director, expressed the profound impact Carter had on the agency. He highlighted the admiration felt by members of Carter’s personal detail for his dedication to public service, compassion, and commitment to humanity.
Throughout the days of state funeral ceremonies in Washington, Secret Service agents remained by Carter’s side, escorting his casket to its final resting place on the grounds of the Carter family home in Plains. The agents fulfilled their somber duty during the funeral service at the National Cathedral, attended by the four other living presidents and broadcast globally.
The Secret Service announced the conclusion of its protective detail for President Carter following his internment. The agents’ physical protection duty officially ceased on Friday morning, marking the end of an era in their service to the former president.
President Carter’s code name, “Deacon,” reflected his deeply held Baptist faith and lifelong commitment to church attendance. He was known to continue teaching Sunday school even during his presidency, which began in 1977 and concluded in 1981. In line with Secret Service tradition, Carter and his wife Rosalynn were both provided protection until their passing.
Rosalynn Carter, code-named “Dancer,” received her own protective detail during the final stages of the 1976 White House campaign. The use of alliterative code names, such as “Deacon” and “Dancer,” is a customary practice within the Secret Service. In their later years, the Carters were safeguarded by a combined unit, ensuring their security as a couple. Rosalynn’s protection continued until her passing in November at the age of 96.
The Carter family’s children were also assigned code names by the Secret Service. Amy was known as “Dynamo,” while Chip, Jack, and Jeff were referred to as “Diamond,” “Derby,” and “Deckhand,” respectively. Following Carter’s departure from office on January 20, 1981, the protective details for his children ceased, aligning with Secret Service protocols.
The use of code names serves as a security measure to protect the identity of individuals under Secret Service care, particularly in high-risk communication environments where interception is a concern. The unique monikers assigned to protectees reflect aspects of their personalities or characteristics.
As the Secret Service concludes its longstanding protection of President Carter, the agency pays tribute to his enduring legacy of service and commitment to others. The memory of “Deacon” will
