(Washington, D.C.) John R. Simpson, 16th Director of the U.S. Secret Service, died peacefully at
home today on Marylands Eastern Shore with his family at his side.
Director John Simpson embodied the very essence of the Secret Service motto, worthy of trust and
confidence. It is with the deepest sorrow that we mourn his passing, said Secret Service Director
Joseph Clancy.
Director Simpson was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on Feb. 13, 1932. He obtained a Bachelor of
Science Degree in Commerce from Loyola College in Quebec, Canada, and a law degree from the New
England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a graduate of the National War College in
Washington, DC, and the Federal Executive Institute in Charlottesville, VA. Prior to his career with the
U.S. Secret Service, Director Simpson served in the U.S. Army.
Director Simpson began his career with the U.S. Secret Service in 1962 as a special agent in the Boston
Field Office. In addition to serving in numerous protective and investigative positions, he also served as
Special Agent in Charge of the Protective Support Division, the Executive Protective Service, the
Dignitary Protective Division, and the Presidential Protective Division.
He was the Inspector in Charge of the Candidate Nominee Protective Division before assuming duties as
the Deputy Assistant Director of the Protective Operations. Prior to becoming Director, he was the
Assistant Director of Protective Operations.
He served as the 16th Director of the U.S. Secret Service from Dec. 2, 1981 through Feb. 1,
1992. A recipient of numerous awards throughout his career, Director Simpson led the Secret Service
during a transitional phase in the agencys history.
Under his leadership, the Secret Service experienced an unprecedented growth and expansion of field
offices. This expansion included an increase of responsibilities in the Services investigative mission in
the areas of access device fraud, computer fraud, false identification documents and financial institution
fraud.
Among his many accomplishments, Director Simpson was the first American to be elected President of
INTERPOL in 1984.
Director Simpsons Secret Service career spanned 29 years of distinguished service. He retired from the
Secret Service in 1992. Following his retirement, he served two terms as a Commissioner with the U.S.
Parole Commission.
Director Simpson is survived by his son and daughter, John R. Simpson, Jr. and Jane Biddle; their
spouses, Colleen Simpson and Mark Biddle, and seven grandchildren.
Source: U.S. Secret Service