Agent Patrick Freaney, who witnessed 9/11 and served as head of the Secret Service in New York City, will step down from his role after a 25-year tenure safeguarding presidents and city residents.
Special Agent Patrick Freaney Retires After Nearly Three Decades in Law Enforcement
After a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades, Special Agent Patrick J. Freaney, the current director of the Secret Service New York Field Office, is set to retire on July 31, 2025. Freaney's tenure in law enforcement has been marked by significant contributions, particularly during his time with the Secret Service.
Freaney's journey began in 1998 when he joined the New York State Police. However, his ambition lay elsewhere - he harboured dreams of joining the Secret Service. Despite an initial rejection, Freaney persevered and successfully reapplied, becoming a part of the Secret Service on July 31, 2000. His first posting was at the New York Field Office located in 7 World Trade Center.
Freaney's career with the Secret Service was marked by several notable incidents. He played an active role in evacuation and recovery efforts during and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. This was not the first time Freaney had helped others in the Secret Service; he has a long history of such actions, including recovery efforts following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
In May 2025, Freaney oversaw a massive operation to take down scammers stealing money from EBT cardholders in New York City. This operation targeted some of the city's most vulnerable residents.
Freaney's contributions extended beyond traditional law enforcement. He led investigations related to digital and cryptocurrency crimes, contributing to operations that seized nearly $400 million in digital assets worldwide. He was also involved in operations that seized millions of dollars in cash and illegal drugs.
After retiring from the Secret Service, Freaney joined BNY as Senior Director on the Global Corporate Security Team. In a statement, Freaney expressed that a part of him will always be with the Secret Service, even after retiring.
Freaney's successor at the Secret Service New York Field Office has yet to be determined but is expected to be announced in the coming days. The office, which was located at 7 World Trade Center, became ground zero when two hijacked planes struck the twin towers of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. After the office was destroyed on 9/11, it was moved to a space in downtown Brooklyn and remained largely unchanged for two decades.
Freaney, who grew up in Long Beach, LI as a son of an FDNY Captain and a NYC school teacher, will be remembered for his dedication to duty and his significant contributions to law enforcement. His retirement marks the end of a remarkable career, but his legacy will live on.
Freaney's contributions extended beyond traditional law enforcement, as he also led investigations related to digital and cryptocurrency crimes, contributing to operations that seized nearly $400 million in digital assets worldwide. In addition, Freaney's interest in education-and-self-development and general-news is evident, as he moved on to join BNY as Senior Director on the Global Corporate Security Team after his retirement from the Secret Service, indicating a desire to continue growing professionally. There have been political discussions about the retirement of Freaney and the search for his successor at the Secret Service New York Field Office, with some questioning the impact of his retirement on crime-and-justice matters, particularly in light of recent operations such as the one taking down scammers stealing money from EBT cardholders in New York City.
