Officers honored in Echelon attack

AUSTIN (KXAN) - It was a clear, quiet morning Thursday, Feb. 18, when a small plane slammed into the Echelon Building, intent on mass death and destruction.

Who did it? Why? First responders got these answers thanks to the efforts of two local law officers working miles away from a fledgling  operation called the Fusion Center.

The Fusion Center, seeded with Homeland Security money, collaborates the effort and information of local, state and federal authorities. Austin's Fusion Center is yet to be fully operational, but last February it played a critical role in the rescues at the Echelon Building.

On Thursday Austin Police Department Lt. Mark Spangler and Texas Department of Public Safety Officer Patricia Nunez were honored by the Department of Homeland Security with certificates of appreciation for their efforts coordinating the response.

"As the information was coming in, Mark and I were going back and forth sharing information, pull it all together and send it to the agencies that needed it," Nunez said. 

Two people died that day: suicide pilot Joe Stack, disgruntled with the IRS, and IRS manager Vernon Hunter. Others were seriously hurt but were pulled to survival. 

The Austin Fusion Center hopes to be fully operational by winter.

"Whether its serial crime or any ongoing criminal activity, we'll be able to make a regional assessment with other law enforcement agencies that are helping us," Spangler promised.

Homeland Security is establishing several Fusion Centers around the country, with the intent to thwart crime and terrorist activities.