By Tandra Smith
George Robert Langford, former Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Birmingham office, and most well known for reopening the case of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in the 1990s, has died.
Langford, affectionally known as Rob, died on Feb. 21 in Windsor, Colorado, surrounded by his family at the age of 84, according to his obituary.
“When we think of Rob, we think of Integrity, humility, service, love of the outdoors, and humor,” says his obituary. “We know that our heavenly Father welcomed Rob home, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”
Langford’s career spans multiple decades, including time as First Lieutenant and Company Commander in Vietnam for the United States Marine Corps and serving as a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Langford is most well known for reopening BAPBOMB, the case of the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, which had its 60th anniversary last year.
The bombing took place on Sept. 15, 1963. At 10:22 a.m., the Ku Klux Klan planted a bomb that exploded in the church’s basement and killed Denise McNair, 11, and 14-year-olds Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Addie Mae Collins. The bombing also injured several others.
According to his obituary, reopening the case was part of Langford’s effort and priority to restore the relationship between Birmingham’s Black community and the Bureau.
Langford’s reopening of the case eventually led to the arrest and conviction of additional suspects.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Martha, his sons, Rob (Kathy), and John Langford, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and more, according to the obituary
According to his obituary, a private family celebration will be held in the spring of 2024 and he’ll be honored at Fort Logan National Cemetery at a later date.
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