The agent in charge of the Newark division of the FBI, credited with leading the federal law enforcement effort around last year's Super Bowl in New Jersey and getting convicted cop killer Joanne Chesimard added to the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorist List, will retire from the agency Friday.
Aaron Ford, who will retire after a 30-year career with the agency, will run the business assurance and resilience department at energy company PSE&G starting Monday.
"I am very proud of the career I've had with the FBI and have worked with countless talented professionals over the years," Ford said. "Even though I am leaving a top-notch agency, I am confident I am joining a great company in PSE&G that shares similar values of integrity which is due to the outstanding workforce they have."
He has served the FBI in Newark, St. Louis, Memphis and at FBI headquarters in the inspection division.
He helped oversee 900 arrests, 390 indictments and 530 convictions while in charge of the Newark office, the agency said.
"Aaron Ford is a wonderful leader in the law enforcement community and an even better friend," U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said in a statement. "His time at the helm of the Newark Office of the FBI has been in the highest traditions of that organization and has enhanced its already sterling reputation. I — and all of his other partners in the law enforcement community — will miss him."
Chesimard was found guilty but escaped from prison and eventually fled to Cuba, where she was granted asylum by Fidel Castro. She is now living as Assata Shakur and is the first woman placed on the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorist List.
