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03/05/93

U.S. agent in charge is veteran investigator

By David McLemore / The Dallas Morning News

SAN ANTONIO-Jeffrey J. Jamar, the FBI agent now in charge of the massive federal force laying siege to the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, is a veteran criminal investigator known for his calm, take-charge manner.

Agent Jamar was assigned Oct. 15, 1991, as special agent-in-charge of the FBI's San Antonio division. He quickly made his imprint on the office, which handles federal investigations in mostly Central and South Texas.

"He's a very intelligent, very take-charge kind of guy,' said an agent in the bureau. "He's known for being very calm with street agents and a hard taskmaster with his supervisors.'

The last two days, Agent Jamar, looking casual in sweaters, has been at the center of sometimes-spirited news conferences, broadcast live from Waco by many Texas TV and radio stations.

He has displayed a serious demeanor, mixed with a quick wit.

Earlier this week, cult leader David Koresh, who has asserted that

he is Jesus, said in an interview that he was gravely wounded in Sunday's gunbattle.

Asked Thursday about Mr. Koresh's condition, Agent Jamar replied:

"He seems to have recovered miraculously.'

Agent Jamar is a Texas native, born Sept. 11, 1943, in Austin. In 1965, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor of arts degree. In 1969, after graduating from UT School of Law with a juris doctor degree, Agent Jamar joined the FBI.

After tours of duty in California and Arizona, he was assigned to the criminal investigation division at FBI headquarters in Washington. He became chief of the FBI's organized crime information system unit in 1980.

Agent Jamar served as assistant special agent-in-charge of the Oklahoma City office from 1982 to 1986, when he was returned to FBI headquarters as chief of the white-collar crime section. In 1988, he was named special agent-in-charge of the Minneapolis division, where he served until his transfer to San Antonio.

      © 1996 The Dallas Morning News
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