ASSOCIATE Magazine FBINAA Q1-2025

John Simmons THE HISTORIAN'S SPOTLIGHT Historically Speaking...

FBINAA.ORG | Q1 2025

I ’ve found during three careers – one in the Army, one in municipal law enforcement and one in national sales – that people love stories. That is one of the most fulfilling parts of being the Historian – I get to hear stories from our members and then share them with you. In past articles I wrote about two diverse topics – members who were also in the clergy and members who attended the FBINA at or before their 30th birthday. I’d like to devote this edition of Historically Speaking to one member who falls into BOTH of those special and unique categories. I recently received a letter from Mr. Robert David Bentley, a graduate of the NA Session 65 in 1960. First, more about his role in the clergy. Following his police career, which culminated in him being the Chief of Police in Damden, Ark., he became an Ordained Minister in the World Ministry Fellowship (WMF). That was 1977, the same year he started an Evangelistic Ministry – David Bentley and the Believers Ministry. He initially thought he would limit his travel to the state of Arkansas, but it became much bigger. His ministry has been in 40 states, in 26 countries and on four continents. In 1982, he was placed on the Executive Board of WMF. Then from 1995 to 2005 he served as the Executive Director and was the President of WMF from 2005 to 2007. He has since been on the Emeritus Board. Talk about a calling!

David was promoted to Detective Sergeant in the spring of that year. One day the KKK set off three bombs at the same time. One was at the Little Rock Mayor’s office, one at a public library and one at the Fire Chief’s home. All of Little Rock PD’s detectives and all of the FBI Agents in Central Arkansas were assigned as teams to investigate. After a few days five suspects were picked up and brought to Police Headquarters for interviews. FBI Special Agent Tom Webb and David were assigned to interview one of the men. David was the lead in questioning the suspect. After about an hour they had a complete confession which included telling them all about the operation. All five were convicted and the Arkansas Supreme Court upheld the convictions. In 1959, a bomb was set off at one of the student’s homes. Once again, the same assignments were given with agents and detectives as teams. Special Agent Webb and David were once again assigned together. Finally, after two or three weeks, they made an arrest. And once again they got a confession. And, once again, the suspect was tried and convicted. And yes, the Arkansas Supreme Court upheld the conviction. Interesting history lesson, I agree. But what does all of that have to do with the NA? Well, a few months after the second arrest David was advised by his Chief of Police that the FBINAA started the process of a background investigation for selection to go to the National Academy. David was told after he got selected and was at the academy that the normal way to get invited to attend the NA was for the Chief of Police to make the recommendation, the FBI to conduct the background investigation and, finally, the FBI approving the selection and scheduling attendance. In David’s case, as he was told after he arrived at the Academy, which was in the Justice Building in Washington, D.C., that his case was different. This was because the two “civil rights bombing cases” were the first ever solved. David was firm in telling this story that he wasn’t taking any credit for solving those cases – it was the result of a team effort! David just had the privilege of getting both the confessions that ultimately solved the cases. As a result, Director Hoover ordered that David be admitted to the Academy. Following the graduation ceremony, Director Hoover asked to have his picture taken with David. Other graduates had to ask the Director if he would take pictures with them. In my last article I mentioned having two U.S. Presidents at one NA event. In 1966, David, his wife, Geneva, and Little Rock Police Chief R.E. Brians were in attendance at the NA meeting in Kansas City. President Eisenhower and President Truman were

J Edgar Hoover with David Bently 1960

David entered the FBINA at age 29 years and three months. His young age was of significant note but the manner in which he was selected to attend is worth repeating. During the period 1957 1960 the City of Little Rock was in the national news concerning the desegregation of Central High School. He was a patrolman at the time. In 1957 the president sent the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock and declared martial law covering several blocks around the school. Troops were there the entire school year and up until the senior’s graduation service in June 1958.

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