Dobyns grew up in a blue-collar family and recalls he was never a “money driven” person.  The son of a carpenter and house cleaner, his working-class upbringing instilled a “work-first – play second” ethic.  After graduating from the University of Arizona with a major in Public Administration, Dobyns sought out a career that he would be “excited” about on a daily basis and satisfy his personal desire for public service.  This inevitably led him to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), which had already cultivated its own reputation in dynamic undercover operations.  

After applying & successfully making the cut, Dobyns reported to duty at his assigned ATF field office as a pre-academy trainee in November of 1987.  Exactly four days later, in a tragic confluence of unfortunate events & circumstances, Dobyns found himself taken hostage during an arrest operation.  The suspect ended up shooting Dobyns in the back, narrowly missing his heart and almost resulting in tragic death in a pool of his own blood; a seemingly dreadful end to a career before it had even begun.  Dobyns, who was a football athlete in college, drew upon his physical conditioning & stamina to make a full recovery within a few short months; at one point annoying his supervisor by returning to the office before exhausting the required workman’s compensation leave.  The shooting also became a test of his own character as he dodged a small army of lawyers willing to extract an almost certain multi-million-dollar payout from the U.S. Government.  Dobyns was not interested; he was going to be an ATF Special Agent and nothing else mattered at the time.  

Dobyns graduated from the full ATF training program in 1988 and developed his storied undercover career for another 27 years before finally retiring.  He had the opportunity to participate in over 500 undercover operations and untold investigations involving narcotics, firearms, explosives, and violent criminals.  Whether it was an operation for a “Saturday night special” or “shoulder launched missile,” Dobyns cultivated his own reputation as a criminal investigator who was willing to support any case, regardless of how big or small.  Dobyns believes the formative years working “small” cases & following up on dubious leads allows special agents to develop the skills later needed to conduct complex criminal investigations.  Dobyns embodied this ethos by being a team player and always having a positive attitude.  For every major case, he emphasizes that it takes thousands of “routine” and “non-glamorous” investigations to “improve yourself as an investigator.”  As a rookie, Dobyns continued to model himself after veteran agents that matched with his style, attitude and organizational skills; eventually leading him to phenomenal career opportunities as an undercover special agent. 

Although he garnered accolades for his infiltration of the infamous Hells Angels (as documented in the book No Angel - 2010), Dobyns career involved significant other cases equally “difficult” and “perilous” in nature.  For that reason, Dobyns recommends aspiring special agents first read Catching Hell (2018); which focuses on “multiple” investigations, offers “personal hindsight,” and truly dives into the life & inner workings of an ATF special agent. While writing “Catching Hell,” Dobyns attempted to give an honest reflection of his experiences and found it was important to highlight both his successes and mistakes.

Dobyns also offers sage advice for those special agents aspiring to become future leaders.  The goal of a leader is to “build relationships, trust, & loyalty” and ultimately cultivate “teams that solve problems.”  He encourages new 1811 supervisors to simply ask what their teams need and figure out what can be done to help them succeed.  In his opinion, anyone who seeks a promotion for the “title” is simply doing it for the wrong reason.  

Despite the documented retaliation and harassment by unethical ATF managers, Mr. Dobyns maintains a remarkably positive attitude.  “99.9% of the time, I would not trade for anything” says Dobyns of his ATF career.  “I had an absolutely amazing career,” where I got to “confront” violent criminals.  Dobyns continues to endorse ATF as a career choice and reminds me that it is the “relationships” and experiences he remembers the most, not the cases.  “I love my agency” and “would never trade my career,” says Dobyns repeatedly of his time at ATF.  Dobyns is “proud” of the modern-day ATF and what it has accomplished with so few resources.    

Retired SA Dobyns is still clearly committed to the 1811 profession.  “I still can’t think of a profession” where “your agency and community hands you a gun & badge and says please keep us safe & take a stand on our behalf against the wicked.”  It is “the highest honor but comes with pressure & responsibility.”  Unhesitant in his response, Dobyns recommends the law enforcement profession to anyone who has a desire to serve.  

Retired ATF SA Jay Dobyns is truly a “Legacy” Criminal Investigator dedicated to inspiring the next generation of special agents.  It is obvious that Dobyns could just as easily have been a Navy Seal or CIA Case Officer.  That he chose to bring his intelligence, grit and unique skillset to the 1811 profession is something we should all recognize & celebrate.  I also truly hope that one day ATF mangers swallow their pride, recognize him for his service & sacrifice; and find the moral courage to bring Jay Dobyns back into the fold to help train the next generation of special agents.  I for one am proud to have shared my profession with this warrior, would like to acknowledge him for his donated time, and wish him all the best.

-SA Blog 

12/20/2020

Learn more about Jay Dobyns at his website (JayDobynsGroup).  I personally encourage all future & current 1811s to read “Catching Hell” and “No Angel” to learn more about his amazing experiences as an ATF Special Agent.