Retired Tennessee Police Officers Find Home in Private Investigation

Patrick Wells isn't intimidated by discreet techno-gadgets or the sophistication of the private investigation industry's up-and-comers in computer forensics.

The former Drug Enforcement Administration agent, with sideburns that stretch to his cheekbones, has a good-natured Tennessee twang and a bald eagle on his business card.

His technology includes a laptop computer and a tape recorder.

"They call it the ol' gumshoe," Wells, 61, said. "You've just got to pound the pavement. No amount of technology is a substitute for knocking on doors and putting in the legwork."

When a cop retires from the force, he never really stops being an officer. So many, like Wells, become private investigators.

In Davidson County, there are 70 private detectives who work for 135 firms, according to the state Department of Commerce and Insurance, which provides licensing to private investigators. There are 1,162 private investigators statewide, who work for 635 agencies.

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Cops: Phony DEA Agent Tried to Pull Over a Suffolk Police Detective

A Selden man was arrested Monday and charged with impersonating a federal officer after he pulled over an off-duty Suffolk Police detective in Centereach, authorities said.

Detective William Zambito was driving home from work Monday afternoon in his private vehicle when he was stopped by an unmarked car with flashing lights and sirens, police said.

Victor Alfaro-Marquez, 35, approached the vehicle and identified himself as a Drug Enforcement Agency agent, police said.

Mr. Zambito, of 43 Ruland Rd., identified himself as a detective and Mr. Alfaro-Marquez quickly returned to his black 1999 Mercedes Benz SUV and left the scene, police said.

But the detective was suspicious of Mr. Alfaro-Marquez's behavior and conducted an investigation, which led to the arrest of Mr. Alfaro-Marquez at his home, police said.

Mr. Alfaro-Marquez's vehicle was impounded and police recovered two badges, handcuffs, a pellet pistol in a holster and a DEA baseball hat and shirt. Mr. Alfaro-Marquez was charged with criminal impersonation second-degree and released on bail, police said.



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