During his remarkable 27-year ATF career, Eric Harden rose from frontline Special Agent to commanding the Los Angeles Field Division before his 2017 retirement. As a strategic crime-fighter in the streets of Los Angeles, Harden transformed the battle against firearms trafficking and gang violence, ultimately helping secure over 500 federal convictions of high-profile criminals.

The visionary behind the groundbreaking Violent Crime Impact Team initiative, Harden revolutionized how federal, state, and local agencies collaborate against America's most dangerous offenders. His innovative approach combined cutting-edge technology with tactical intelligence to dismantle criminal networks threatening communities.

This Stanford sociology graduate (recruited nationally as a standout high school running back) channeled his personal connection to gang-affected neighborhoods into a passionate mission. As Special Agent in Charge overseeing Southern California and Yuma, Arizona operations, Harden's leadership embodied his lifelong commitment: protecting vulnerable communities through strategic, intelligence-driven law enforcement excellence.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​